SAI ‘SAVE’OR He manifests in different places ‘same time’ with His ‘Visiting Cards’ only to accomplish something for His devotees…and at times He ‘manifests’ in different places, in different forms, with His ‘Visiting Cards’ again, to accomplish something for the sake of His devotees…He did it once in Tirunelveli, for the sake of a ‘new’ devotee…whom He wanted draw unto ‘Him’… and for this devotee’s sake He manifested Himself in the guise of this devotee…saving and managing the situation… A beautiful incident excerpted from the book “God in our Midst” by Dr (Mrs.) Hiramalini Seshadri, republished in the July 2014 issue of Sanathana Sarathi. One of my patients, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police called Krishnan whom I treated for tuberculosis at the Apollo Hospital, had this true story to relate. In the 1950s, he had been posted as the Traffic Sub-Inspector at Tirunelveli. Those days, there were no walkie-talkies and the Traffic Sub-Inspector had to be on the road all the time. He heard then that a Swami called Sathya Sai Baba was camping nearby. Being a man of spiritual nature, he decided to go with his friend, offer his respects and a garland to this new Swami and return in time for duty. They went in their jeep but found that Bhajans were on and they couldn’t get near Swami. They decided to leave, only to find that the jeep wouldn’t start. Another devotee asked them if they had sought Swami’s permission to leave. When they replied in the negative, he said, “Well, then the jeep won’t start!” They stayed on for the Discourse and lunch and, finally, in the evening they managed to present their by-then-faded garland to Swami, and get His blessings and Vibhuti! The jeep started right away when they were ready to leave now. When he reached home, his elder brother and father were anxiously waiting. “Where on earth were you?” they angrily asked. “There were two accidents today; one involving a police jeep and another involving a State transport bus… Where were you?” Krishnan could not sleep all night. He wondered what punishment he would get for such dereliction of duty. Suspension? Show cause notice? Dismissal? Reversion? He prayed to Baba for help! Next morning, he slowly made his way to the police station. “Oh sir, what would we have done if you had not been there!” a constable addressed him. He couldn’t understand what the fellow was saying; it was all very confusing. He slunk in and sat quietly on his chair and said nothing. Later, he slowly went to the D.S.P’s office. He was summoned in. The D.S.P. looked grave. Then he broke the silence. “What a shame that policemen should drink and drive…and that other bus driver… well that was the pedestrian’s fault… ah! Anyway, you did whatever you could. Good.” Krishnan couldn’t believe his ears! Later, putting together all that he heard from here and there, he reconstructed what had ‘happened.’ ‘He’ had been there at the site of both accidents, ‘he’ had booked the culprits, rushed the injured to hospital, notified the authorities… done the needful promptly and to the best of his abilities,” – as they would say in officialese! Krishnan rushed back to Baba. He knew it was Baba who had saved him by appearing in his form and acting as the Traffic Sub-Inspector. Compassionate Swami comforted him and blessed him. Krishnan then told Swami that he wanted to resign and serve Swami. Baba said that he should not do such things; that he had a Karma to finish; that Baba would always be with him. Krishnan was struggling to keep back tears as he related this to me nearly forty years later. Needless to add, his tuberculosis responded well to the treatment. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Radha is an inseparable part of Krishna… Fifteen days from Krishnashtami comes Radha Ashtami, a joyous celebration in some part of North of India, celebrating the birth of Radharani, supreme devotee of Lord Krishna.   Radharani’s birthday is the sacred eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada. Sri Radharani was born in Barsana, a suburb in Mathura. Bhagawan had spoken many a time, about the inseparable relationship between Krishna and Radha, The Creator and His Creation. Narrating the backdrop of Radha’s affinity towards Krishna, Whom she recognized as Paramatma, Bhagawan recounted a beautiful incident from the illustrious life of Sri Radharani. An extract from Summer Showers in Brindavan 1978. One day Radha intended to enter Brindavan to pick up some dried pieces of cow dung. She was making some attempts to enter the city and Krishna recognised that Radha was making such attempts. Since Nanda was the head of the place, a watchman was guarding the entrances at the behest of Nanda. Krishna instructed the watchman to state that only men are permitted to enter Brindavan and women are strictly prohibited from coming in. Thus, when Radha was trying to enter Brindavan on one day with her basket for collecting dried pieces of cow dung, the watchman said that no woman can enter Brindavan. Radha was utterly confused on hearing this. Smilingly, Radha asked, “Can you stay in Brindavan? If you can enter Brindavan, I can also enter.” The watchman replied, “I am a man, you are a woman.” Radha replied, “You are making a big mistake. In this world, Krishna is the only Purusha. All others are women. If you can enter, I can also enter.” In this manner, she argued with great strength and questioned the watchman by asking, “How can you call yourself a man, simply because you are wearing robes and dress appropriate to a man?” She forced her entry into Brindavan. Krishna, Who was coming behind, noticed this and said that since Radha forced her entry contrary to the orders of Krishna, and since she was a woman, she will have to pay a tax by way of penalty for disobeying his orders. Radha replied, “Oh Lord! The heart you have given me is my only property. I can return it to you by way of tax. I have neither wealth nor possessions to pay tax in any other manner. I shall gladly surrender my only belonging, namely my heart, to you.” Krishna replied “Golden Radha, Brindavan has come into existence to immortalise the kind of divine relationship that exists between me as Paramatma and you as Prakruthi. Posterity will know that Krishna was always enshrined in the heart of Radha. This commitment made by me will always convey the meaning of the relationship that existed between Radha and Krishna. Where there is Prakruthi, there will be Paramatma. Where there is Paramatma, there will be creation. Paramatma and Prakruthi are like the object and the image. Wherever we may go, the combination and the confluence of the two aspects of Radha and Krishna will be what people can see in this world.” Bhagawan discoursed further, elucidating on the Divine relationship: To regard Radha of the Bhagavatha as an ordinary woman, to regard Krishna as an ordinary human being, a man, and to regard the relationship between them as no more than between a man and a woman, as people generally understand, is very wrong and quite contrary to what the author of the sacred text of the Bhagavatha intended to convey. This relationship is the sacred relationship that exists between God and His creation. It is as inseparable as the white colour of milk is inseparable from the milk itself. The colour of the milk is white. It is not possible for us to remove the white colour from milk. If we turn milk into curds, the curd is also white. If we churn the curd and get buttermilk out of it, the buttermilk is also white. If from that buttermilk, we separate the butter, it is also white. Thus, do what you may, it is not possible to separate the white colour of milk from the milk itself. Radha is part and parcel of Krishna even as much as white colour is part and parcel of milk. The kind of association between Radha and Krishna has no parallel in the world and cannot occur in any other instance. Today, only when we understand this and put into practice, at least to some extent, the lessons we can draw from the relationship between Radha and Krishna, will we be in a position to promote the aspects of Krishna, in their divine form, throughout the world. On the contrary, we should not regard Radha as one individual and Krishna as another individual and promote this thought based on a difference between them. This oneness of Radha and Krishna has been referred to in the bible as “Kingdom of God.” This aspect of oneness of Prakruthi and Paramatma has been referred to, in several religions, by using different words. However, to enable common people to understand the significance of Radha, our ancients have created a form and a name. But whoever, continually and at all times thinks of Krishna, is a Radha. This is an aspect and not a name. For this sacred and divine aspect of Radha, we have been ascribing several distorted meanings. Radha is no other than a faithful image of Krishna, the object. We should undertake such action as will lead us to Krishna. The Creator is Krishna. The creation is the Prakruthi. Action is needed to be able to cultivate divine love. As a result of the love of Krishna, we should be able to reach Him. Today, we have understood the meaning and significance of the love of Radha for Krishna. We should now be prepared to interpret all her actions against the background of such divine love. (banner courtesy: iskconbrindavan.com) II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Sai As Dattatreya… God Is One and the same… yet, in different yugas, different times, God incarnated in different forms, accepting different Names… For the one with pure awareness…He is Absolute Consciousness in different forms…  call Him Rama…Krishna…Sai…Dattatreya… At Shirdi, Baba was questioned once by the police…and He in His inimitable style answered “Truly” which was intriguing yet confusing for the foolhardy. Later, to some ‘Doubting Thomases’ Bhagawan showed up Himself as Lord Dattatreya… Trinity in One Supreme Form… Commemorating the Birthless Sai’s ‘Birthday’, the episode as recounted by Bhagawan… Baba was involved in a criminal case. He had to give evidence in a case which related to the theft of some valuables from a rich man’s house by a gang of thieves. The police caught the thieves and questioned them about the stolen ar­ticles. The thieves said that the valuables had been given to them by a fakir. Searching for the fakir, they came to Baba. They asked Him: “Fakir, did you give these articles to them?” “Yes,” He said. “Wherefrom did You get them?” was the next question. Baba replied: “They have come from the same place from which all things come.” “Who gave them to You”? “I gave them to Myself.” Baba gave such intriguing an­swers, which the police could not understand. “I Am the giver of every­thing. How can anyone get anything without my sanction?” declared Baba. Feeling that it was futile to question him further, the police prepared a report. Baba received a summons from the magistrate to give evidence in the case. Chandubhai Patel did not want Baba to go to the Magistrate and so arranged for Baba being examined on commission (in Shirdi itself). During the examination on commis­sion, Baba was asked: “What is your father’s name,” He replied: “Baba.” (Baba means “Father” and the reply meant that the father’s name was “fa­ther.”) Q. “What is your religion?” A. “The religion of God”. Q. “Wherefrom did you come?” A. “I have come from the Atma.” Q. “What is your caste?” A. “The caste of the Divine.” Baba answered all the questions in this manner. Earlier He had been hailed as “Sai.” In his examination, He had given his father’s name as Baba. By the combination of these two names, he was therefore called “Sai Baba.” No one knew when and where Sai Baba was born and who gave Him that Name. Later, many persons began to have doubts about His transcendental powers. One day, the birth anniver­sary of Dattatreya was to be celebrated (in the month of Margasirsha on Pan­chami day.) Several devotees had assembled in Shirdi. Among them was a wealthy man, a great scholar called Kaijack. He is not to be confused with Hijack!” His name was Balwant Kaijck. As he was approaching the Masjid, Baba took His stick and waved it at the devotees, asking them to get away. He even beat some of them, shouting, “Saitan! Saitan!” No one could understand why Baba was be­having like this. “I Am suffering labour ­pains. Get away, all of you!” He shouted. In those days, Baba not only used to shout at people, but also wield the stick on them on occasions. He used even to throw the stick at fleeing persons. Every one used to be afraid of him. They all fled from the place. Some time later, He called all of them to come. “Balwant Kaijack, come!” He said. When Balwant came, Baba went inside the Masjid. Balwant went in and found that Baba was not there. He found a three-headed baby on the floor. Baba had declared that He was suffering from labour pains and there was a baby there. The three­ headed child appeared to represent Dattatreya. It was a small baby with a number of hands. Balwant recognised the child as Dattatreya and called other devotees to come inside. They went in and on seeing the child closed their eyes. At that instant Baba reappeared there. From that time onwards, people started looking upon Baba as the incarnation of Dattatreya. 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

Yes, I Am The Cosmic Christ Peggy Mason is a well known name in Sai circles…she was an actress in her young days, and a well-known writer later. During the second half of her life, she had been writing on spiritual and metaphysical themes, for renowned journals like Two Worlds. She and her husband Ron are spirit-minded and past seventy, they both came to India, to see Bhagawan in 1978. At the first private interview the Masons had, Baba materialized a rosary of 108 crystal beads and put it around Peggy’s neck. He also produced a Baba ring and put it to Ron’s finger. He let the aged couple to embrace Him, and spent almost a full hour with them, speaking kindly and enlightening them on many spiritual points. Man and wife were overwhelmed with His vast love. The realization that Baba was God they had been seeking for years gave them the ecstasy of spiritual joy. They were satisfied that their journey to India, so difficult at their age, had been more than fully rewarded. After that, they had many more private interviews with Baba, each one as thrilling as any other. How did the Masons come to merit such Grace? Some years ago, Peggy got ill. She felt great pain in her left leg, and was unable to walk more than a few yards at a time. Her doctor advised a major operation. He did not guarantee a cure by the operation; on the contrary, he told her frankly that, if it failed, her legs would have to be amputated. Peggy had a photograph of Baba, which she had cut out from an issue of Psychic News. It was always on the table by her bed. One night after the doctor’s advice, she sat contemplating on the photo. The photo suddenly jumped up an inch or so, to one side and back again. When it did so, a glimmer of light fell over the table with a strange iridescence. Peggy had the above experience on many following nights. Meantime, the pain in Peggy’s leg was getting worse. One night, when it became unbearable, she cried out: “Oh, Baba, I wish you could do something about my leg!” The next day, Peggy got a copy of the book, Sai Baba and the Psychiatrist. She was looking at the picture of Baba in it, when her telephone rang. A man’s voice came through: “I’m ringing on behalf of Swami Ganesha Ananda. She is very much interested in your writings, and would like to meet you.” Peggy told the caller that the Swami was welcome to her place any time. Three weeks later, Swami Ganesha Ananda came. She said she lived some fifteen miles away. She appeared to be a well-travelled person, and said that she had been to India and seen Sathya Sai Baba. And, quite simply, she gave Peggy a packet of Vibhuthi which she said would cure Peggy’s ailment. Peggy rubbed the Vibhuthi to the paining leg regularly every day, and prayed before Baba’s picture. In a few days, she was cured of the pain in her, leg, so well that she could dance all night at a ball. This established the Masons in their faith for Baba. They made a continuous study of Baba, reading all the available books on Him and questioning people who had seen Him. Before long, the desire which had been growing in their hearts to see Baba with their own eyes became uncontrollable and they had to come to Prasanthi Nilayam. The Masons knew that Jesus Christ had said: “I and my father are One. He will come.” At the last interview they had with Baba before leaving for their home, Ron asked Baba: “Are you the Cosmic Christ of Whom Jesus spoke?” Baba’s answer was instantaneous, and simple, “Yes.” The way He said it, the way He looked straight into Ron’s eyes while saying it, was enough to convince Ron, and Peggy too. They now say: “We are all very fortunate to have Him, the Cosmic Christ, with us, moving about like an ordinary man, giving us the chance to hear Him speak, sing and laugh. We are indeed blessed!” II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

The Soul Is Aware Only Of This… HE Is verily The Breath Of Prasnthi… The Breath of entire humanity… The Breath of all beings… The Breath of entire creation… as HE Is verily The Source Of Eternity… Sri Sathya Sai Who chose to withdraw His physical frame hitherto on this day, 24th April, four years ago, is living with us… in us as our Soul Entity, guiding and guarding us… in seeking this Sri Sathya Sai one is sure seeking his or her own redemption, for Sathya Sai is verily THAT!!! Sri Jullie Chaudhuri reflects on the Beauty Beyond Compare, seeking many encores of the everlasting enchanting Divine beauty… 24th April 2011…What does this day mean to you…what does it mean to me…?What import does it have cosmically…?Different sentiments felt by different folks…yet, underlying it all is the fact that a colossal void is left behind…quite obvious, totally inescapable and utterly unavoidable is the oft gnashing pain to see the Beloved One again… That agony of separation that was experienced by Dasharath for Lord Rama…and that painful parting which was the cause of Ma Kaushalya’s supreme grief…so too, during the age of Dwapar…similar was the angst borne by Mother Yashoda and Nand Maharaj… What about the sorrow and distress that plagued the being of Brindavan…the forests, the trees, tulsi/basil shrubs, the birds, the cows, calves and other animals…along with the woe of the mountain Govardhan and the humble anguish of the river Yamuna…?…and what about the stinging soreness in the hearts of the gopikas…and their copious tears?Can any mortal measure the excruciating extent of their ordeal…? Can anyone count the stars in the sky…or the leaves upon the branches of the evergreen trees…or the drops of water that makeup the mighty oceans or the grains of sand upon the bosom of Mother Earth…? Can one weigh the amount of snow that make up the majestic Himalayas…? Thus, what each devoted heart feels at the physical separation from the Supreme Being can never be gauged, determined or estimated…? We all are a part of the Source…of Beloved Bhagawan, however, does life have any lustre, any flavour…when we are away and…apart from Him…? Inexplicable was the torment in each brijvasi’s soul…ever so colossal…then, where does this partition place us all…? Treta, Dwapar and Kaliyug…Rama, Krishna and Sathya Sai…Who can gauge the woe of a devoted heart…of an aspirant, of a devotee…of any person who was aware of Beloved Bhagawan as the solitary Mother and Father …the sole Parent – a gleeful child…up until 24th April 2011. His Omnipresence notwithstanding, even in midst of a crowd, surrounded by friends and family…the ‘gleeful child’ now faces life often alone as an orphan alone.The lines from the qawwali often sung in the Divine Presence – Sai bin raha na jaaye…jabsey hai dekha Tujhko Sai merey…darsh ke pyase nayana saanjh saverey… chaen na aaye mohe chaen na aaye…Sai bin raha na jae…keep resounding… Oh! Beloved Sai…we can’t live without You… ever since these eyes first rested upon You…they have solely sought glimpses of You through each moment of dusk and day… immensely restless are we…for Thee…do not  turn away from us…Sai, we can’t live without You… Having experienced the Lord’s wondrous Presence,…that mystique,…that graceful gait,…that charm,…that compassion and sweet motherly interaction,…that stern fatherly concern,…that exclusive attention,…that twinkling creative gaze and flow of inspiration,…that personal loving touch,…that pat on the back,…that distinctly made up for any and every kind of lack……that Vision of Glory……that glorious vision…of the petal soft Lotus Feet……of the coveted abhaya hasta…the hand raised in bountiful  blessing……that unforgettable voice…the songs He did sing……the unparalleled joy it brings……that melody that pierces the depths…the core……who doesn’t want more…much, much, much, more…?Unabashedly i do say – i do…i do…i do…want more…! Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence is eternal…it always is and always will be…the intangible does give delight…we all experience it in perhaps every bit that does vibrate around us and that does swirl and surround us…yet, the joy of His Presence is matchless…Beauty Beyond Compare…such is the bliss of the Beloved One’s Darshans.So have we recovered…? Has Prashanti recovered…can one ever ‘recover’…from an ‘episode’ of such a massive magnitude as this…? So, what does Prashanti’s stoic calm belie…do we ever get to hear her wishful sigh…for the soft footfall of Beloved Sathya Sai…?…and what of Puttaparthi…? Mother Devaki and Mother Yashoda…both adored their Krishna. Puttaparthi and Prassanthi…what do these ‘mothers’ feel for their precious ‘Sai…their little Sathya…their Sai Rama…their very own Sathya Sai Krishna…? So many thoughts…feelings flow on……gushing forth like a never-ending stream…Memories swirl and beam…choosing to remain evergreen……and the heart does constantly, continuously reminisce…Right now, the soul is aware of only this……His unfathomable mystery, mystique and mission is known to none…His charismatic Persona endears Him to all…His transcendental ways do baffle, amaze and stun…He is the Creator and…His script for the benefit of creation is supremely precise……intricately…ever so finely spun…Right now, the soul is aware of only this…His Will is that indomitable, absolute Power……that brought about creation……and…His Word is the word of Sathya…of Truth……the Sathya of Sathya Sai always holds true… …for His Word, you see, is the Word of God Almighty…His Will, His Power, His Word……propels us on…shepherds us into……stimulating, fructifying, inducing a Glorious Genesis…Right now, the soul is aware of only this……though the cosmic realms of the intangible renders bliss……without His Darshans……there is an invariable ‘something is amiss’…Right now, the soul is aware of only this……the era of Sathya Sai has much more in store……a refrain reverberates in the depths of the core…He is…and we are His…He is eternal and infinite…and eternally, infinitely we are His… II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

“That is My job; I will do that” How gritty are you in the face of problems upsetting the rhythm of your day-to-day life? … and what is your Faith Quotient, that could help in times of adversities… a beautiful narration of a personal experience by Smt Karunamba Ramamurthy in the book Sri Sathya Sai Anandadai is a lesson for you and me, lesson on Faith and Surrender. ”On September 29, 1961, Shankara and myself went to Puttaparthi. My mind was in turmoil. We had lost a case pertaining to some property in a prime location in Mysore city, in a lower court, which meant a huge financial loss to us. I rushed to my mother who had put up in the old mandir and apprised her of our predicament. Her reaction was predictably calm. With faith in Swami, which did not falter ever for a moment, she said, “We may be at an apparent loss, but Swami does everything for our good.” We waited near the Interview Room to have darshan. Bhajan was in progress. Many were in the verandah for the interview. After quite some time, Swami came out. Seeing us, Swami told all the old devotees, ‘Go and attend the bhajan. I will have to see the new comers now. You can do only Padanamaskar now.” We did Padanamaskar and went to the bhajans. On the next day, we waited near the Interview Room before commencement of bhajans. Swami called us. We went in. Both of us did Padanamaskar. He asked, “What happened?” I said, “Swami, we lost,” and gave Him the details. Swami asked us to appeal to the higher court. I said that it would cost more and we could not afford that much money. Swami placed His hand on my head and said, “Swami is there. He will look after everything.” Later, He recited a sloka and said, “Do you know what Lakshmana prayed Rama? He prayed, ‘Rama, just as You use Adisesha as Your bed in Your manifestation as Vishnu, please keep me in Your proximity forever. Did he lack anything – wealth, kingdom, parents and wife? Still he left all those things and asked for Rama’s proximity. Similarly, you must yearn for Him alone. You will somehow, be carried through all other tribulations.” I said, “Swami, always keep us in Your mind. Shall we try again, Swami? It either makes or mars our future security.” Swami advised us to appeal in the higher court. All of us did Padanamaskar and left. We appealed in the higher court and lost again. Out grief knew no bounds. Terribly shaken, we came to Puttaparthi again. The next day was Monday and we sat outside the Interview Room.  After calling a few persons, Swami called us. We had gone there only to do Padanamaskar, but had the good chance of talking to Him. Swami came towards me and said, “Money, money, worries about money. Do you know what you should worry about? You should worry that you have not yet realised God.” I said, “Swami, I too worry about it.” Swami said, “Then why worry about this so much? As long as the purse was with you, you had to worry about it. Now that you have given it to Me, it is My duty to look after you. Should you worry still?” I said, “We should not, Swami. We worry about repaying all the accumulated debts. We just do not see any way out.” Swami explained, “You are afraid because your faith in Me has reduced. If you had complete faith in Me, you would not have developed fear. Do you know what is atmarpana? Whatever may happen, you should relentlessly follow Him. He will do something or the other for you. He will somehow make everything all right. He (pointing Himself) can do anything. What did Ramadasa and others do? Only this much, isn’t it? Whatever punishment they underwent, they were relentlessly thinking of Rama.” I said, “Even Ramadasa and others found fault with You when they had to go through unbearable adversities. What of lesser mortals like us, Swami? You are aware of the huge loss we sustained in the court case which was decided against us.” Swami, hearing this laughed loudly. I asked, Swami, if You are really present in our hearts, how do we get such problems and worries?” He said, “Why? Didn’t Ramadasa and others face similar problems?” I said, “Swami, they could have committed some mistakes when You were not present in their hearts. We are sure we have not done anything wrong to deserve this fate.” Swami said, “When you take this human form, committing some mistakes is inevitable. But you should not think of those. Think of Him always.” Swami said, “It is a pity that you have lost heart for such a trivial issue.” I said, “We are afraid of repaying the loans,” picking up the thread of the earlier conversations of the court case. Swami consoled, “Keep yourself calm. You will get the money to repay the loans. Is there a sky without clouds?… a rose without thorns?… a man without worries? I said, ”Swami, the thorn is not in contact with the rose. It is present, but exists separately. Please grace us so that thorns in us do not hurt others.” Swami said, “That is My job; I will do that.” II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

For Bhagawan And The Brahmand… On 20th July 2009, Bhagawan, conferring harmony to every atom in the Cosmos as a whole, made us chant Samastha Jeeva Sukhino Bhavantu (may all the beings in all the worlds be at peace) for a few days, consequently reverting the intonation back to Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu. Earlier on 31st August 2008, with absorbing intent Bhagawan had rephrased ‘Lokaah Samastha…’ thereby establishing Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu…a chant most selfless and true, for Cosmic benefit. On this day Bhagawan, while bequeathing this chant upon humanity, mentioned that Lokaah Samastha refers to only one world…whereas Samastha Lokaah refers to all the worlds…‘It is a great, wonderful feeling’ – is how Bhagawan expressed the sentiments of joyous expansion and vastness brought about by this sacrosanct phrase. Students who were fortunate to witness this awe inspiring moment have since often recalled how Swami had enchantingly gestured with His arms, indicating an action of expansion…thus embracing all the ‘lokaas’! Through many an encore of this particular chant signifying peace for ‘Anni Lokaalu’, since all the lokaas are His very own, Bhagawan revealed His great concern and feeling for Universal Welfare.  Many are the ways to adore our sweet Lord and the fragrance of each minuscule element of devotion is sure to make Him smile. Along with the devotional hymns, the vedic chants, the verses and dramas, the garlands and flowers…the fasts and pledges…mustn’t we spare some time for that ‘one desire’ of God – Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu…? What can please our Beloved Creator more than incantations for the well being of His dear creation…? Perhaps the intent to unite and form a global link…that intensely and selflessly resounds ‘Samastha Lokah…’ through the ether with magnified intent…effecting individual, global as well as universal harmony. It could be an Akhanda Samastha Lokah…for 24 hours on a rotation basis…or a specifically held group chanting for a specified amount of time or it could be 9/21/108 chants…micro or macro efforts…individual or collective…it is the intent that enhances the purpose and establishes a link, a bond, lending and blending a harmony. Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu, like all of Beloved Bhagawan’s messages has a universal objective and does not belong to any caste, creed, religion or sect…it can be chanted by anyone…anywhere…at any time sans any man-made restrictions. And it certainly is the need of the hour. The sheer noble intent of this gloriously powerful chant would have a tremendous impact upon the environment and usher in peace, contentment as well as a brotherhood in a world torn apart by selfishness, strife, chaos and terrorism. We all are sparks of That Divine Flame…Waves dancing upon the bosom of That Supreme Ocean…Together we form the fragrant petals of That celestial Lotus…Radiant rays of That Effulgent Light…Finite expressions of the One Who is Infinite…Significant segments of the One Who is Invincible…Each a unique star upon the vast expanse of the Celestial Firmament…Buds yet to bloom in the Eternal Garden…Limitless indeed like the sky…for we…are the children of Beloved Mother Sai… Come, Brothers and Sisters, together let us spread the message of Sai…the choice is ours…to remain a mere statistic or to touch upon the music of the mystic…a life sublime…going on to leave our footprints upon the sands of time… We are channels of abundance,We are channels of peace,We are channels of light,This is what we must realize,Love, Radiance and Harmony,Henceforth we must channelize…With the Universe our vows we must posthaste renew,Let the Cosmos ring out with Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu… Bhagawan is the heart of the Cosmos…the Brahmand…and we live in His heart…together we form His heartbeats…it is only natural for the beats to be in sync with each other…Let us do it this for Bhagawan…for the Brahmand…for our Bhagawan and our Bhagawan’s Brahmand…for we are forever an intrinsic part of the Brahmand…and the Brahmand from Bhagawan is never apart.Let us spread the message of our Lord,Let us live the message of our Lord,Let us live only to please our Lord…Every moment let us surrender selflessly at the Lotus Feet of our Beloved God…Let us glow and gush forth as instruments of compassion of the Creator for His creation…Most certainly this is what Bhagawan intended for me and you –II Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu II Let us embrace life, the elements five, every atom of creation the Cosmos through…may God bless every being…sentient or insentient…embodied or disembodied… with all that is magnificent, wonderful and true…oh! what bliss…for this harmoniously includes me and you… II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu IIII Samastha Jeevah Sukhino Bhavantu IIII Samastha Anu Bhavantu II Samastha Brahmand Sukhino Bhavantu II

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