Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms…Sorrow or Celebration? All that, to which, our conscience whispers a firm “No” are most undesirable and to all which our conscience hums  a firm ‘Yes’ are the most desirable actions for man to follow. When man listens to his conscience, that is the Inner God, he moves in the right direction and thus pleases Him Who is The Indweller…and when he moves opposite, he is inflicting pain in Him, Whose directives he chooses to ignore. Every negaive thing, be it our lackadaisical attitude, actions that reeked of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya are arrows, darts, shafts, missiles that hit the Divinity Within us writes Sri Jullie Chaudhuri  quoting references from Prasnottara Vahini reminding the children of Sathya Sai to awake, exult and herald in the Golden Age following Him studiously…Read on… She lit the evening lamp,Watching the rays of the Sun bid adieu and disappear,Dusk pirouetted to the fore from the rear,Deep was her contemplation on the events of the past year,A colossal ‘why’ and many, many , many ‘why nots’,In the mind did churn and appear…With open eyes she saw that Effulgent Form,The mist lifted even as the heart did mourn,With delight she looked upon Him,Moist eyes in which teardrops did brim,Upon a closer look she couldn’t stifle a loud gasp,She ran over and the Beloved One’s hand she did clasp,Agony stabbed her aching heart,Her voice was a hoarse and painful rasp –‘My Lord, Beloved Mother, Oh! Baba, Baba…’Was all she could muster,Mind reeling, senses not at par,As grief did her nerves scar,And the flow of words completely debar…Up close,She saw that His frame was entirely covered with arrows…Slowly the meaning did unfold. 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; each thought and word wrongly intended brought on a torrent of chain reaction in rapid succession. Every lackadaisical attitude, each action that reeked of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya was an arrow, a dart, a shaft, a missile, embedded in the lotus like frame of Beloved Bhagawan. Each arrow had a name on it. Countless arrows  pierced His gentle frame through the flaming orange robe. Arrows that came from all over the globe. Each and everyone was responsible for having pierced with toxic arrows and shafts, the Benevolent, Magnificent and Supreme Frame of God. Let us read excerpts from ‘Prasnottara Vahini’ by Beloved Bhagawan to get a clearer picture about these venomous and destructive weapons which lie either subtly, overtly or downright blatantly in every human persona. 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, Mada 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 – Mada? Ans – Mada 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, Mada makes men move about without reverence for elders and consideration for others’ feelings and craving only for one’s own comfort and security. Mada 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. Such lucid explanations about the excess baggage that we carry, weapons of self as well as social destruction in the psyche of each individual. Yet, we point fingers at disgruntled neighbours, street fights, terrorists and warring nations. Each arrow that falls off due to virtuous, ethical behavior continuously gets replaced when the worst in us gets the better of us.But these attempts at self transformation needs a Cosmic Boost, intense endeavour and an absolute one-pointed focus. The arrows on that Cherished Form have to be removed. They have to fall off, disintegrate, vanish, crumble. Since those arrows belong to us all, the remedy too lies with us. We need to replace those arrows cautiously, skillfully, carefully, being ever dexterous and vigilant so that they do not surface ever. These poisonous arrows need to be wiped out, their repeated recurrence barred.  And for this we need ‘zoomed in’ determination, a soul centered obsession with the Ultimate Goal, a burning passion for purification, a supreme will and complete absorption in the gigantic task at hand – unfurling and manifesting our inherent, latent divinity. If these words have touched your hearts, dear brothers and sisters, if they have created ripples of impression upon a mind ever ready to please the Beloved One, if they have evoked feelings of harmony and linked our thoughts…then we must not remain sanguine, nor must we procrastinate. Nothing else matters, no other call is more urgent, no trivial distraction need attract our attention. ‘That’ ever overflowing Ocean of Love, Compassion, Mercy and Truth deserves only petals of fragrant blossoms, perfumed and coloured with the myriad hues of goodness, purity, unity, divinity and the oneness of adoration. Beginning this very moment, the thought uppermost in our mind posthaste must be – ‘I

Parthi Prays… The lines that you are about to peruse through had its initial debut in the brook of soulful sentiments that caressed the cherished Lotus Feet of Beloved Bhagawan through the booklet – Eternal Sanctity, being a special edition of the Pune Youth Wing Newsletter in June 2011. Memories of those days linger on as intense now as it was then. Let us ceaselessly unite in profound prayer…in deep reverence for Him…for His magnificent Advent…for His Love…His Mission…for each of His Word!  We will be publishing these reports in sequnce, as and when they were originally written in April 2011. May we lovingly ask you to join us as each sigh eternally echoes absolute yearning for Mother Sai. This is how Parthi stepped up its individual and collective Sadhana as The Divine Frame chose to take upon Itself, perils that threatened humanity… Oblivious to malicious talk and unperturbed by vicious pens, Parthi continued its Sadhana in a calm vein. In temples and individual homes, chants and  bhajans rang out. The village geared up for akhanda bhajan and night long vigil, so no procession on the streets of Parthi…but the inner procession continues non-stop as it should. The world over, the feeling is thus – Where the mind is without I, and the heart is full of Sai, into that heaven of freedom, Oh Lord let my soul awake… …each drum beat, each ring of the cymbals is pleading with the Lord and praying to Him for Him…and why shouldn’t they…? For all that He takes upon Himself, saving humanity from disastrous effects of natural calamities which threatens the existence of millions, it is on their part but a humble act of  acknowledgement and gratitude, isn’t it….? …gratitude to the Beloved for all that we know He does and all that we don’t know…to the Universe for all its abundance, for the country we live in…do we wish to be in any other place than the one the Lord chose…?…to our parents for giving us life and for introducing us to life i.e. the Beloved; also, it’s important to have gratitude towards the physical casing of the atma, the vehicle for the soul, to each and every organ for functioning well, to the eyes for seeing His form, to the ears for having heard Him, to the feet for having walked His way, to the mind for its focus on Him…and to the heart for being the shrine where He does dwell. 8th April..…Collective Harmony in the heart of Parthi…beyond caste, colour, religion – a rare example of unity… When the cherished One allows Himself to be admitted to the ICU of SSSIHMS, the Cosmos watches with bated breath as to what He has written next in the Divine play, for only He knows the script and He is the Director Supreme in this Cosmic drama. What is known to us is that devotees the world over – in every village, city, home and heart are praying to Him…for Him. For a change, there is a selfless prayer in every heart, mind and soul, an ardent appeal, a passionate plea, in all humility, with pure love replete…that goes beyond any personal benefit or selfish need…a prayer that asks Beloved Bhagawan to cure Himself…as He has done with millions over the last eight decades of this Avatarhood. What is perhaps not known to us is that every being in the Universe also has a prayer in its heart, concern in its mind, tears in its eyes and hope in its very being. From the plain to the deserts, to the mighty Himalayas…from the lay person to heads of state, to saints and Himalayan masters…all souls are joined in prayer to the One for the One. Faith is the sole factor for each soul. A collective appeal from the individual soul to the Super Soul to heal whatever It has deemed fit to take upon Itself, for the higher good of the Cosmos. And Puttaparthi, the village which received the ultimate benediction when the Lord willed Himself to be born and continue the scenes of His Divine mission here…is awake, alive, alert and aware with fervent prayers and deep devotion. Every hearth, home and heart is imploring its dearest Bhagawan to heal Himself and return to Prasanthi Nilayam without further delay. All temples are holding prayer meetings which include bhajans, yagnas and various chants for the speedy recovery of their Beloved Lord. Come evening and there are groups of devotees converging from different lanes and by lanes, with adoration in their hearts, devotional songs on their lips and candles in their hands. They are like little streams and rivulets, gushing forth from myriad directions, bobbing up and down with diyas, merging together at the Feet of the Loving Ocean of extreme benevolence, represented by the deity of Sathyamma at the temple dedicated to Her Sathyabhama, the precious consort of Krishna. Their passion, dedication, loyalty and love for Bhagawan is overwhelming to witness and exhilarating to experience. The entire village is effervescent and vibrant with adoration for the One Who gave them life and is their life. An amalgamation of unified faith, a combined gathering of such a large multitude continuously over a period of 11 days for just ‘one person’ is unheard of anywhere in the world. But of course that ‘one person’ happens to be Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba – Whose unconditional love and selfless service for humanity is an example in itself. Bhagawan is receiving the love with which He has touched the lives of millions in every nook and corner of the globe. Unified prayers bring collective harmony resulting in a benediction supreme, and this is the entreating hope of every soul. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamayaa… Browsing through His ‘most mystifying’ Story from April 2011, we see a united Puttaparthi that stood united for a Cosmic Cause, her very own SOUL… HeartBeat, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, Whom she ‘fondled’ with great care, right from the day-1 of His Story. With Bhagawan’s most mysterious Divine Leela on in the summer month of April, Puttaparthi  turned abuzz, with collective hearts beating for Him…for Him…for Him Alone… Recapping Parthi’s mood during the trial days, here is a report from the 13th and 14th days of April 2011, extracted from the book ‘Eternal Sanctity’ by the Pune Youth Wing. 13th April Millions flock to Him…they love Him for what He is, all that He is, for all that He has done and keeps doing for the individual, the society, the nation, the world and the universe too. For them that is proof enough of His divinity. They have experienced His magnanimity, His presence, His little and great acts of supreme grace, the miracle of His unconditional love and so are now expressing it in a befitting manner. For them, He deserves the best and they are bent upon offering their best. Unshakeable is their faith, heartfelt their gratitude, unmatched is their fervor, dedication, devotion and tenacity of purpose – to have their Lord amidst them at the earliest. This is how it is in Puttaparthi right now. This little township is alive with plentiful pageants that carry lifesize photographs of the Lord of Parthi, while singing devotional songs through the lanes and by lanes, the crisscrossing of various such groups charging the environment with piety. More than 200 women had a ‘coloured light’ procession of their own. A parade that glowed with the hues of adoration. Carrying plates of worship, that contained candles, flowers, coconut, turmeric, vermillion, betel nuts and betel leaves – phalam, pushpam, patram toyam – upon their heads and singing aloud hymns in worship of their Lord, these ladies carried out a special act of devotion past every temple of this holy village. Large groups of children too have taken to the streets, themselves pulling the huge chariot carrying garlanded pictures of Bhagawan – a Rath Yatra, even as they sing aloud in their tender voices, bhajans pure in their intent. Candle lights – that rekindled hope and faith. TamasoMaa Jyotir Gamayaa – leading away from the darkness arising out of the absence of their dear Lord to the radiance of His coveted darshan. It seemed the onus is on humanity to woo Beloved Bhagawan. Clearly devotion has swept into the sands of Parthi and the hearts of its inhabitants … “Parthipurishwar Jaya Mana Mohana”. 14th April Thursday was reserved for the men folk of Parthi to express their devotion. Hundreds gathered outside Ganesh gate with candles in their hands, a prayer in their hearts and hymns in praise of their Lord on their lips. Chants of ‘Om Sri Sai Ram’ rang out aloud and echoed in the ether. Accompanying this devoted gathering was a floral float drawn by a tractor. Colorful bouquets and flowers bedecked the gigantic photo frame of Beloved Bhagawan. They passed on their ‘candles of love, hope, faith and worship’, as an offering, which was collected by seva dal and devotees from inside the Ganesh gate and made to adorn the parapet surrounding the deities under the canopy of the peepal tree opposite Ganesha. A myriad candles glowed bright with unified prayers and collective harmony. Further down the main street of Puttaparthi, children sang and danced in circular formations, even as the elders of the village played the drums and cymbals with synchronized rhythm. The residents of the village, each one of them were leaving no stone unturned to coax and cajole their Beloved Lord to be amidst them again. Indeed a sustained spectacular effort with amazing dedication. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu The Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam is just concluded with grand celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam in the immediate Divine OmniPresence of Beloved Bhagawan. With the spirit of Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana on… how crucially important it is to take up the revised Cosmic MahaMantra, Born Of Bhagawan, as a way of life… before moving forward.  A beautiful presentation on the Cosmic ‘Liberatory’ Theme called ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ by The Prasanthi Reporter. (Script, Concept and Voice by ‘Mother Sai Poet’ Sri Jullie Chaudhuri for The Prasanthi Reporter) Dear Sisters and Brothers…Loving Loving  Sai Ram…Peace of the soul and Harmony for all! We are here to hear and connect to a distinctly selfless mantra. Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu. As we have all seen, heard, read and witnessed our Beloved Bhagawan’s teachings and the examples set by Him, the welfare of all beings is what He stresses on…Consequently, on 31st August 2008, Bhagawan modified Lokaah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu which interprets as – May all the beings in this world be happy and peaceful… to now be intoned as – Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu…that it may exude peace for all the beings in all the worlds. Is it not imperative then   that we chant this mantra for Universal peace? As we keep chanting this, the mantra becomes ‘us’ – universal seva. The bonus is that along with peace, this revives a feeling of brotherhood, camaraderie and the chorus of kindred oneness. Beings of light did spring forth from the silence deep within the Lord’s heart and so we are all connected and never apart…for those beings are us all… Many are the challenges faced by the individual, the society, and the world, and this is having serious repercussions on and is a constant  threat to Mother Earth…a threat that is gathering enormous momentum… We need to come together and help heal the world… Thus, ‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu’, which is a Universal Prayer beyond boundaries of personal beliefs, will benefit all – from unseen beings to those seen…from mortals to animals to plants and trees…to marine life to birds to rivers, mountains and rocks…all the planets, all the lokaas…to every speck in the cosmos. It has such a magnified effect, that not only will it encompass Mother Earth, but will also take in the whole Universe into its fold – an embrace of Cosmic proportions – A Cosmic Embrace… ‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu’ engulfs the elements five – Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth and brings about a balance ever so harmonious. Beloved Mother Sai, You always exhort us to adhere to Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. And through this chant, You, Beloved One, are teaching us to link Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and thereby…evolve into Ahimsa. Oh! Mother Sai, You are the Creator and the welfare of Your Creation is what pleases You the most.Accept our prayer, Dearest One, that we may make this chant –‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu’ – our very breath and feel deeply for all living beings. Let our lives be Your message…and Your compassion our mission…through this chant, which is luminous in nature, prolific in its reach and propitious, wholesome and divine in character. You, Sweet Mother Sai, have always stressed that we chant ‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu’, accordingly, we now desire to make it our way of life, as it will make us go away from the ‘I’ to ‘We’ and finally into ‘You’…Oh Cherished Mother Sai. To those of you listening to these lines just now, you are at the right place at the right time…for it is vitally essential that we chant this mantra for Universal Peace – both individually and collectively. And we have to start now. Sit where you are, chant ‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu’ and embrace the Cosmos, all sentient and insentient beings…without moving an inch. The vibrations released by chanting it together will reach the Lord’s Heart and His bliss will reach us all, for what pleases Him is that we unite and live together in peace and harmony. Let us help heal the world that our children will inherit… ‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu’…will help you reach the real you… Your life can then be a fragrant offering at the Lotus Feet of Beloved Mother Sai…Dear Listener…we present variations of this mantra for all the beings in samastha lokaahs…may your being resonate with each variation…may peace resound in the cosmos within you, may there be harmony around you…and may tranquillity surround you…for you are the Universe…and the Universe is You! II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

The You Inside Of You Is Waiting For You… 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 God. All necks craned to view this most adored form. Awe, exultation and deep reverence did exude forth embracing the ever loving and living God. This exhibition of ‘The Beauty Beyond Compare’ is chronicled as ‘The Ultimate Darshan – Thus Far”. Commemorating the momentous moment that has no parallel, as one more 25th March approaches, Sri Jullie Chaudhuri takes her devotional imagination recapitulating the ‘The Incomparable Beauty Of The Beauty Beyond Compare. Friday, 25th March 2011.7.15 pm. As the Lord’s Divine Chariot was gently manoeuvred through the hushed spellbound host of devotees…none were aware as regards the heartrending sequence of events that the Beloved One had decided to determine determinedly. Certainly this crucial decision would have a stunning impact and lead to shattering tremors…heartrending for those who adored Him to the exclusion of all else. No one in that congregation or those tuning in from elsewhere the globe over, had even a tiny, wee bit inkling, not even an iota of an iota of an inkling that this was to be the last public darshan hitherto. None were given a peek into the script of the Supreme Script Writer and Director…for His Cosmic Leela was and is based on the shimmering waves of trust, faith, patience and surrender…and those who yearned to be a part of it needed to sift, wrench and pull apart any lacklustre, un-required, unnecessary, ‘excess-baggage’ habits, characteristics, biases and attitude. What He ultimately chose to inflict upon His Divine Frame……for the ultimate benefit and upliftment of the human race……is completely beyond any mortal mind to understand……or even try to appreciate, gauge, interpret or unravel,For sure,…even if one tries to do so…it will remain as mere conjecture. Of the Universe He is the Cause…He dictates the Decrees and the Codes of the Cosmos…and the Flawless One is beyond any laws…thus, there is none in the created world to decipher His Pause. Sovereign, Indomitable, Almighty is His Resolve and Will. Still, not getting darshans of the enchanting Physical Form always remains an inexplicable tug, a gnawing unignorable soreness…an incalculable loss that nothing or no one can recompense…which even time does respect…feeling helpless it cannot help heal…it then attempts to help us deal…depending upon our prayerful implore…bringing along many a sweet caress of the Precious One’s omnipresent largesse…opening up episodes, events that wondrously connects and bequeaths an everlasting endorse. When we begin to see Bhagawan in everything around us…the visible, the invisible; the sentient, the insentient…when we bless ourselves to feel Him in that soothing wisp of the breeze…or the playful whisper of rustling leaves upon the trees; the dazzling sun rays or the reflection of playful moonbeams upon the ocean waves; the tinkle of some far off temple bells or the mystical sea sound in conch shells; in that wonderful dawn, the soft hues of a sunrise or the spectacular sunsets where each one is a distinct surprise; in those that doubt or those devout; those versatile or those that never smile…in the vulnerable cry of a newborn whether in the humankind or the wild…when awareness arises that in every being…winged, finned, two legged or four…it is Mother Sai Who revels at each one’s core…we commence to manifest the ‘You inside of you…the Me inside of me…the Us inside of us…the Sai beyond the i…’ and thus we comprehend that darshans never end… It is that moment now…to rise, arise…to the You within…the Truth within…for the You inside of you is brimming and waiting…for you…to then spill into everything around you. Come, dear ones…sweet children of Mother Sai…through the intensification of ‘Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu…Samastha Jeeva Sukhino Bhavantu…’…through the review and the re-evaluated view of harmonious kindred oneness, let us expressly manifest darshans anew…surge on…soar high with Beloved Sai…revel in a timeless avenue…eternally in a sublime rendezvous. Let us manifest that miracle…let us manifest darshans anew. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

OneNess – The Mantra Of True Truth Aspirants… Ekoham Bahusyami – the most authentic Indian scriptural declaration about the process of creation indicates that in the ‘beginningless’ beginning The One chose to become many. The Big Bang theory of the western philosophy also points towards the same truth, of The One multiplying into many. The term ‘Oneness’ points towards The One without any second, call it Totality or The Absolute. Isn’t it the beginning of the ‘beginningless’ beginning? If one subtly observes the created world around, the answer becomes quite clear that, there is no second thing, except The One. To understand this man has to exercise a reverse engineering process, turning himself inward, instead of being focused on the illusory, hallucinatory world around. With a ‘bit of inner perception’ one will be able to understand that every single act happening in Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam serves a pointer towards this unity, harmony, oneness. Umpteen times Bhagawan has personally asserted about Unity, Harmony, Cooperation, crowning it all with His Teachings on Love and Peace to all of creation. He has time and again exhorted that ‘Love’ is the undercurrent of everything, be it human or other forms of existence. The Lord Who has ever spoken in the most easily understandable language – the language of the heart, always referred to everyone as Divyatma Swarupulara, Premaswarupulara, meaning ‘Embodiments of Divine Atma’, ‘Embodiments of Love’, certainly serving an indicator towards man’s exalted position of Godhood. The theory of Ekoham Bahusyami has an interesting ‘tale’ wherein the Supreme Godhood, The One and Only Param Atma, Who, while manifesting HimSelf into many, creating countless ‘jeevatmas’, had given the promise to man that he is made in His Own Image with the same Essence, the essence being that of Oneness and the image being all the virtuous attributes, of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love, Compassion, etc. Every single act endorsed by Bhagawan, be it in His ever alluring Physical Presence or now in His most astounding subtle omnipresence, is pointing towards this supreme truth of Oneness. He is preparing His loved ones towards this ‘Truth Beyond Truth’, enticing them in His most inimitable way to become ‘True Truth Aspirants’. Be it the everyday spiritual sadhana of Prasanthi Nilayam that includes Prasanthi’s own Sai Bhajans to the multifarious activities running through the calendar year, namely, the Dasara Jnana Saptaha Yajna, various functions and festivities, the Summer Course for students – the tailor-made educational curriculum of Sri Sathya Sai Institutions with its steadfast stress on human values, every single enterprise summits towards this goal of Oneness, script-writer being The Timeless Supreme Lord called Sri Sathya Sai. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s famous revelation on His creation is recorded thus: “There was no one to know Who I Am until I created the world at My Pleasure, with one word. Immediately mountains rose up, oceans, seas, lands and water shades, sun, moon and desert sands sprang out of nowhere to prove My Existence. Then came all forms of beings, men, beasts and birds, speaking, hearing, flying, all powers were bestowed upon them under My Orders. The first place was granted to mankind, and My Knowledge was placed in man’s mind.” The famous dictum of Bhagawan on Life, which begins with ‘Life is a Game Play It…’ and ends with ‘Life Is Awareness…’ indicates this subtle truth of Sri Sathya Sai that, He, Who has created this world as His past-time has definitely meant it to be a game. The same could be accepted with the spirit of challenge, so as to realise the dream, while blending it with love unsullied, finally to manifest the true truth that Life is an Awareness, that of Oneness. The epochal Divine discourse after Sri Sathya Sai ‘healed’ HimSelf of a paralytic stroke way back in 1963 has a subtle, yet profound pointer. This was the discourse wherein Bhagawan revealed to the world of believers the ‘Bharadwaja’ story involving Lord Shiva, revealing HimSelf as “Shiva-Shakthi’ Avatar. Shiva here stands for the Eternal Purusha, and Shakthi refers to Adi Parashakthi, moulding into One as Para Brahma Sri Sathya Sai, the Supreme Resolve. The subtle indicator here is, on 6th July 1963, while delivering His Divine discourse, His Voice had turned ‘feeble’, barely audible to the anxious, devout assemblage. He asked, again and again, over and over again, “Vinipisthundhaa?” meaning ‘do you hear Me?’ He, Who Is the Cosmic Canvas, keeps sending us gentle reminders, gentle taps from His Greater Heaven, reminding His dear ones of The True Truth Behind Truth. But, is man ready? It has to be accepted that He is loud and clear, loud enough to hear, but He can act ‘helpless’ if man turns a deaf ear, drooping in darkness, only to teach him a better lesson. Prasanthi Nilayam is a ‘workshop’ with a unique curriculum, teaching ‘Sai Yoga’ or the ‘Sai Path’, which is a fine blend of all the paths described in the scriptures, be it the Karma Yoga, the Bhakti Yoga or the Jnana Yoga. Every action here leads to ‘That Oneness’, be it the various service activities that come under the ‘Karma Yoga’ or the everyday bhajans that can be exemplarily classified as a mode of the ‘Bhakti Yoga’, every single activity here leads on to the Jnana Yoga of Oneness. The One Who has embodied as Sri Sathya Sai has His definite agenda, antidote for the world in Him, and His game is on… The Karma and Bhakti modes of worship promoted by Prasanthi Nilayam will definitely help man to expand, by practising to behold the Beloved One in every bit and being around him, and thus to expand to Infinity. When He becomes The Supreme Resolve, every single religion, every single scripture, every single master and teaching becomes His, belonging to Him, and thus this final quote credited to Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, one of the illustrious masters of India, an eternal beacon radiating the supreme reality of Oneness. “I Prostrate To MySelf Who Am Within All Beings, The Ever Free Self-Abiding As Inner Consciousness.” II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Divine Supreme’s Sole, ‘Soulful’ Desire – Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu The day was Sunday, 31 August, 2008… the venue was Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s sacrosanct Prasanthi Nilayam, to be precise, hallowed Bhajan Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam. The congregation was that of 150 odd ‘former students’ of ‘Bhagawan’ in His various educational institutions, employed at various Sri Sathya Sai institutions, in Prasanthi Nilayam – Puttaparthi, Brindavan, Muddenahalli, etc. … and The Host Was ‘Infinitely Divine’, The Lord Supreme, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. That blessed after noon inside the Bhajan Hall, The Lord Supreme moved amongst them,  attending many…,  glancing, smiling, speaking, chiding, …granting HimSelf out and out. As the session was coming to a grand-closure, He ‘gathered’ HimSelf in the centre stage for a ‘talk’, flanked by the entire lot like swarm of bees on a honey comb. In His inimitable style He started telling… about something infinitely profound, a would be revision of the Maha Mantra, ‘Lokah Samastha… ’ that comes from the Vedic lore, into ‘Samastha Lokah…’ Thus Spake Sai then: “At the end of the bhajans, you are chanting ‘Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu’. It is really great and expansive.  As you chant this, you are thinking of only this world, in which you are living in, implying an individual feeling. This is not correct. It is ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’, which is an expansive, all-encompassing feeling, covering all the worlds.” Saying so, He asked His ‘swarm of bees’ to intone after Him the revised format…and thus, for the first time in ‘His Story’ and in the history of His creation, the new Maha Mantra reverberated … ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’. Obviously perplexed, having no clue, the world outside the ‘hall’ listened to the echo, while continuing to sit clueless. Further, Bhagawan asked the ‘boys’ to commence the official chanting from the next ‘holy’ Thursday, 4th September! ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ is the elixir for all, all that need to be set right, at all levels, in all the worlds… truly, the ‘Elixir Divine’ for His creation at large. Why ‘Samastha Lokah…?’ and what is Its added significance?? …and why this transition from ‘Lokah Samastha…‘ into ‘Samastha Lokah…’??? What, Why and many a question can be raised by many minds that dwell in doubts and resort to arguments, but the very fact that the Maha Mantra was borne of The Lord Supreme, in His natural flow sans any pretence, negates all arguments, simply surrendering to His Will Supreme. Does not The Mother know the need of Her child? If the Maha Mantra was introduced by Bhagawan with His Divine Sankalpa of Cosmic, all- embracing expansion, Samastha Lokah… does cover anything and everything, most unconditionally, rightfully endorsing the legacy of Sri Sathya Sai, that being Love… All-Embracing Love…Unconditional Love… Love That Conquers… simply L-O-V-E!!! “Samastha Lokah…” is undoubtedly the One Off Universal Maha Mantra that claims credit to Its being from Bhagawan in His physical form. Most of the other Mantras claim their origin from the Vedic time, perceived internally by great and elevated souls. …And such a Maha Mantra that claims its origin from the Divine Resolve Of the Supreme-Most Avatar,  One Who Is hailed as The Sarvadevathaatheetha Swarupa, (The Divine Form beyond all other forms) must definitely be power-packed with Intention Of That WholeSome Divinity – The Supreme Resolve. What could be this power-packed intention from a human perception? The Supreme Lord, from Whose Resolve sprang out this vast creation that include human beings, made humans, the highest of beings with reference to conscious expansion, in His own image… and thus, does want humans to raise to His level of vastness… expansion… becoming That… by Becoming and thus Be, His True Self, Embodiment of Love.  This is clear from His ‘own’ words, wherein He spelt out God’s single-most desire in no uncertain terms…. Concluding His Dasara Divine discourse in 2009, Bhagawan spoke thus: “God illumines the entire universe as the Atma Tatwa (Innate Divine Principle) immanent in all the living beings and objects. Even though God may appear to be involved in so many activities in the world, it is verily for the pleasure of His devotees. He has no desire of His own. He has only one desire – Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!” This Mantra stands as the Mantra beyond all other Mantras.. as it is completely selfless and cosmically vast… Pointing to His physical body, He said once that, He Is ‘top-to-toe’ selfless. Indeed, it can be rightly perceived that, this Supreme Lord, Who created man in His own image, does ‘desire’ man to be unmade and remade as… His own… reflecting The Truth beyond all truths, The Essential Sai Para Brahmam. At a time when Kali is raging to its peak, The Supreme Godhood introduced this Maha Mantra as the panacea for all universal and cosmic maladies. Bhagawan, Who Is verily The Pulse of time, delivered it to the humans at the right time, for him to use it most effectively. Anyone who tries this Mantra with an innate feeling of Love is sure to experience EXPANSION soon… and thus entitled to ‘Become and Be’, becoming One With Him… The Master Supreme! Sri Sathya Sai – The ‘True’ SadhGuru!!! Can We Hear Him Whispering…  “Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu”!!! II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

My Life Is My Message What i think, i must speak and what i speak, i must act… this is Trikarana Suddhi, purity and unity of the three essential faculties of man, viz., thought, word and deed. Bhagawan has always been in the forefront, practising what He preaches, not by being ‘liable’ or ‘duty bound’, but purely by being Love HimSelf. On 5th June 2005 Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed something unique, when Our Beloved Bhagawan plunged ‘HimSelf’ into a unique action,  acting HimSelf out His dictum ‘My Life Is My Message’. Reproducing a beautiful ‘Darshan’ story from 2005. World is a big stage and we have greater lessons to learn watching it. With Bhagawan, one has to be on a constant watch, as every moment is counted and if one is focused, he will have lessons galore to learn and imbibe. After a momentous Thursday, the day when Bhagawan decided to bless the University Campus in Prasanthi Nilayam with His Divine visit, came a pleasant Friday. Though summer’s clutch was loosened, it has not left the spiritual township completely and the day’s weather was a mix and by the time for evening Darshan, it turned cool again with ominous signs of imminent rains. Bhagawan came out just after 1630 hrs. before coming onstage for a brief spell, watching and blessing the students chanting Vedam. Bhajans started at the scheduled 1700 hrs. and Bhagawan came on stage once again. …And following Him came the rainy showers lashing from the heavens as if the mythical ‘Rain God’ was waiting for the Over Lord to come and decorate His dais. Lashing rains with strong winds splashed the rainy drops all around bringing in renewed natural freshness all over. With Bhagawan on stage granting static Darshan, with mellifluous bhajans on, hundreds of devotees outside the main gate next to the Sita-Rama statue got stranded in the lashing rains, leaving them completely drenched. Bhagawan, The Silent Witness He Is ever, was waiting as He had something to demonstrate, a unique visiting card of His Love and Compassion. Even as the bhajans continued, He was glued to the main gate watching the hundreds getting ‘drenched’. For the onlookers, it was something uniquely strange, that He was physically focused on His devotees, watching the rainy celebration. Who would know what was happening inside of Him, as from inside ‘out’ Bhagawan was bathing them in His indefinable Gaze Of Love! Sevadal volunteers were  disciplined enough to maintain ‘peace’, especially with Bhagawan onstage, watching the melee. Lord AlMighty He Is, and His Heart Is nothing but Love n’ Compassion, it was time for action! Bhagawan soon sent word to the security to break the cordon, allowing the stranded devotees inside to occupy the vacant area near the Sita-Rama statue. The Prasanthi Nilayam Security, being conventional following the ‘laid’ discipline in letter and spirit, allowed the gents in,  leaving the ladies out. In Prasanthi Nilayam, as a matter of customary discipline, gents and ladies are not allowed to mix-up in the Darshan hall. Watching this security ‘drama’, Bhagawan sent special instructions ‘to break the deep cordon’, allowing the devout ladies in, allowing them to occupy one side of the vacant spot! Action done and lessons imparted, leaving the onlookers to take the best out of the ‘drama’. Bhajans went on till 1750 hrs. when Bhagawan indicated for Mangala Arathi. Post the Arathi Bhagawan’s compassionate loving gaze continued to shower on the special group,  who are the recipients of a special  ‘rain-packed-blessing’ from the Lord Supreme in His earthly Abode, right outside His Sanctum Sanctorum!!!  Our Lord Of Compassion was not in a mood to stop. He moved unto them next, granting them the DARSHAN of their lives… and one could hear ecstatic hearts, drenched in Pure Love, chanting Jaikars of infinite gratitude, that reverberated Prasanthi in the rain-hit twilight. The Lord Who penned the thematic value-oriented drama ‘Cheppinattu Chestara’ during His teen years, meaning ‘do i follow what i speak’, Who HimSelf followed His ‘own’ dictum, ‘Love All Serve All, Help Ever Hurt Never’, demonstrated it in action yet again, out in public, leaving the best of the lessons for the world around. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Sri Sathya Sai Darshana Mahotsavam Sweeter and sweeter as the days go by’ is perhaps the right expression to describe the Beauty Beyond Compare Divine Darshan in Prasanthi Nilayam. At a time when Darshan sessions are becoming shorter and shorter, one can find an increasing awareness among the devotees, of the greater importance of Divine Darshan! …thus goes our Darshan Update for the 4th day in the month of March of the fateful year 2011. A Darshan meditation with the SamPoorna Avatar in sacrosanct Prasanthi Nilayam. March 4, 2011: Emerging at 1120 hrs, Bhagawan went for a round of Prasanthi Township this forenoon. The Divine caravan moved along the road, passing Yenumanappali cross leading to the Super Speciality Hospital. Taking a detour from the petrol bunk on the way, Bhagawan returned to the Ashram at 12 noon, via the Culvert gate at the western end of the Ashram. Hundreds were lined up en route inside the Ashram, for a precious glimpse of The Lord. Bhagawan, in His outpouring love and compassion, went on blessing the devotees with Abhayahastha. ‘Sweeter and sweeter as the days go by’ is perhaps the right expression to describe Divine Darshan in Prasanthi Nilayam. At a time when Darshan sessions are becoming shorter and shorter, one can find an increasing awareness among the public of the greater importance of Divine Darshan! …And with this increasing awareness, thousands upon thousands are flocking into this Valley Of Peace every day, to catch a precious glimpse of The Lord! In the evening Bhagawan arrived at 1945 hrs in His car, coming for usual round of Darshan. Completing the round, He He spent awhile with the ‘Alike Team’ of teachers and students. Alighting at the verandah, Bhagawan then came on stage to preside over the session for the next fifteen minutes. Detached was His demenour all through, yet He was at His amusing best! As some prasadam boys came in with laddu prasadam seeking blessings before distribution, Bhagawan grabbed a few from the box only to toss them next unto a selected lucky few. Accepting a letter from one of the boys, Bhagawan read through the same after blessing the boy with Padanamaskar. Bhajans turned into a higher gear as boys opened up with greater devotional fervour; with the devout pubic responding, erupting with booming chorus. 10 minutes past 20:00 hrs, it was time to recede. At 2010 hrs Bhagawan indicated for Mangala Arathi and soon He left the dais, not before blessing the concourse with a priceless Abhayahastha. Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 2015 hrs, leaving yet another Beauty Beyond Compare Sri Sathya Sai Darshana Mahotsavam!!! II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Sri Sathya Sai Darshana Mahotsavam… For whom much is given, much will be demanded, thus ‘claimed’ our Lord Supreme! How many of us live and relive Him with every breath and beyond, The Beauty Beyond Compare, Bliss O’ Beauty, Sri Sathya Sai? He came, walked among and thus filled and fulfilled hearts infinite, withe incomparable beauty of His Darshan. Yet another Darshan Story from sacrosanct Prasanthi Nilayam, for you and me to live and relive.  Emerging at 1730 hrs, Bhagawan, after completing a full round of darshan, went for a repeat round, only to take a detour after finishing the ladies’ side to come onstage at 1752 hrs through the right of Ganesha. As bhajans went on, Bhagawan continued to sit presiding over the session. At 1805 hrs, Bhagawan gestured to stop the bhajans, indicating for the mike, after a pause of 3…4 minutes, at 1810 hrs. An impromptu Divine discourse was in the offing! What a surprising delight and delighting surprise! Delving on the greatness of Bharat’s ‘celebrated women’, Savitri, Chandramathi, Mother Sita, Draupadi and Damayanthi, Bhagawan discoursed for the next fifty-five minutes, translated by Prof Nanjundaiah, formerly, Controller of Examinations at SSSIHL (who was also His former translator) in the absence of the regular translator. Everyone is afraid of death; however Yama goes everywhere discharging his duties, said Bhagawan in an apparent reference to Savitri’s victory over the Lord of death, who, with the Power of her Chastity won the Lord’s grace to bring her dead husband back to life. Lavishly Nowhere else in the world, other than in Bharat, one could find such stories of revival of a dead person and hence God’s special love for the land of Bharath. Power of Chastity is equivalent to Power of Penance. Scary Lord of death, Lord Yama is scared of Chaste Woman, thundered Bhagawan emphasising on the Greatness and Power of Chastity. Shifting to the story of Raja Harischandra, Bhagawan continued in detail emphasising how Lord HimSelf was pleased with Harischandra’s adherence to Truth that finally won him everything. Harishchandra was totally selfless, said Bhagawan, urging one and all that ‘i’ and ‘mine’ should be eschewed to understand the Self. Delving on the story of Mother Sita and the Power of Her Chastity followed by mentions from the illustrious lives of Draupadi and Damayanthi, Bhagawan highlighted that, all of them who lived their lives for their ideal husbands were known for their Power of Chastity. With unity between husband and wife anything could be achieved, reminded Bhagawan. Power of Chastity and Dharma is not confined to women alone, man equally has to follow the same, but women should never transgress their limits, disobeying their husbands. On Bharat’s greatness, Bhagawan sent out a strong message that opting to those who leave the nation, moving out that He termed as a waste. Bhagawan concluded His Divine discourse at 1905 hrs with a promise to discourse in detail in the following day. A  Rama bhajan followed upon which Mangala Arathi was offered before Bhagawan moved off the stage at 1915 hrs. Spending the next five minutes inside the interview room, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1920 hrs. As if celebrating the unexpected ‘bonus’, the Divine discourse, as Bhagawan moved off the stage after ending His Divine discourse, outside Sai Kulwant Hall, Wind God was in a celebrating mood, blowing across the hamlet with unusual enthusiasm. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II