Devotee, "If we want to be with You always,
what should we do? "
Swami, "Namasmarana, Namasmarana! It can be achieved only by chanting God's Name. Wherever Bhakthi dwells, God resides there".
Devotee, "Please show householders, an easy
Divine Path".
Swami, "Whatever you are doing now is
enough. Namasmarana alone is enough. If you come again and stand before Me, I will say the same thing over and over again. If I scold you, accept it. It is also good for you".
"Let the mind wander as it likes. Do Namasmarana. It is like placing the pot of water on fire for boiling. The fire of Namasmarana eliminates all the impurities in mind and it becomes pure. That is the SECRET".
"The fire called Namasmarana will burn away
your Karma. Butter does not melt until heated. Swami is as soft as butter. Ammayi, this butter (showing Himself) is melting under the heat of your Namasmarana. That is why you are getting opportunity to have Samipya, Sparshan and Sambashan".
"Look, even Purandaradasa has said that remembering the Name of the Lord is enough. I tell you the same thing. Name of the Lord alone is enough"
- Swami in the book "Sathya Sai Anandadayi"
By G VENKATRAMAN
Some time ago, Swami said during a Discourse that when we sing Bhajans, the subtle sound vibrations thus generated spread throughout the world and indeed the universe; not only that, they get absorbed and become latent in all material objects present in the universe. Bhagavan added that if we sing Bhajans with true love for God, these subtle vibrations can in fact cleanse the world and promote peace as well as harmony. If our voices could do that, how much more can the Divine Voice do, especially when it is physically pervading the whole world via radio waves! Just imagine, this very moment, Swami's voice can be heard in every strife-torn part of Asia! Soon it will do so throughout the world. Can there then be any doubt that Peace WILL prevail?
Radio Sai Global Harmony is operated by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam as a part of its mandate to spread Swami's Message. The broadcast programme is prepared in Prasanthi Nilayam, written onto computer CDs, and then sent to Melbourne in Australia where the satellite uplink station is located. From there, the signals are sent to Asiastar which then re-radiates back to earth. Thus, the programme heard on 23rd morning actually originated in Australia. The moment Swami pressed the button in Prasanthi Nilayam, a signal was flashed to Melbourne and hey presto, Radio Sai was on the air!
Currently, the programming schedule is as follows: During week days, that is Monday to Friday, there is a four-hour package that is looped and repeated six times during a 24-hour period, from 6.30 a.m. one day to 6.30 a.m. on the next. In the four-hour package, the listener can hear two Divine Discourses and some music consisting of vocal Bhajans, instrumental Bhajans, and excerpts from concerts rendered in the Divine Presence.
To read the complete article, click here.
Here is an excerpt from the inspring and humorous talk given by J. Jagadeesan.
"Don�t take the nine code of conduct for granted.
But anyway I suddenly realised something very unusual I found out now. The seven of the codes will lead us to heaven. Two of the codes prevent you from going to hell. At least follow the two. We can�t take you to heaven. It is up to you to go to heaven, but I realised that two of the codes will prevent you from going to hell. So whether you want to go to heaven or not it is up to you. Whether you meditate, do seva or not it is up to you. But don�t go to hell unnecessarily.
What are the two codes.
1) Never speak ill of others especially in their absence. This is a direct and straight ticket to hell.
2) Always speak lovingly and softly.
So devotees, this message I found Swami repeating again and again in different formats, different ways. See, if you meditate it is all right, but if you meditate and talk ill of others what�s the use. Today the problem with the world is that everybody wants to find fault, everybody wants to condemn, everybody will talk behind the back. This is the challenge now. Follow these two codes at least. These two codes are easy to remember. Nine codes one may not remember, but at least two codes you must remember, it won�t take you to hell.
Watch now what is the other individual sadhana?. Swami keep on repeating this. You cannot always oblige but you can always speak obligingly. This again is linked to the two codes. This I always follow in my life. If I cannot agree, I speak obligingly. It is very simple how many of you speak obligingly? You may not always agree but do not be disagreeable. All these come from the two codes. See what Swami is doing here repeating the same message in different ways. This is a incredible sadhana that we must follow in life."
To read the complete talk, go to this link : http://www.geocities.com/priyasai108/jegad/jegad-mumbai.htm
That is the reason why one saint advised his followers, "Do not ask God for anything. Let Him deal with you as He Wills."
-Baba
(Source: Sai Baba's Divine Birthday Discourse, 23rd November, 1978)
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From Chris Parnell
Birth and Childhood
There is a famous shrine town, Trivellore, near Madras. Near there is a smaller village, Kammavaripalayam. Here was living Sri Venkatappa Naidu. He married one Subbalakshmi of Parlapalle Village in Gudur Taluk of Nellore
District. A male child was born (10.10.1894) named Venkatasubbiah, taking both his parents names. When the child was three years old his father transferred to Pennalurpet. His mother taught him a valuable lesson arising from an argument that carried over from a heated exchange in school. The other boy grew angry to the extent of beating Venkatasubbiah. Venkatasubbiah went home as asked his mother to tell the other boy's mother to beat him.
Subbalakshmi taught her son it was not right to take revengeful action. She took him to the other boys house. On the road, a dog was lying. She asked her son if he would bite the dog in retaliation if the dog bit him. He thought for a while and replied he will not bite the dog. He then understood the meaning of his mothers words. When Venkatasubbiah was aged seven his mother developed a chronic illness and her husband took every step to allay her illness. After a time, all efforts made by him were futile; the wife and mother shed her mortal coil.
The boy was handed over to the care of the village mayor (kannam) Venkatarayadu. This couple saw to it the boy did all sundry works but did not see to it he was educated properly. Later, he was sent to other relatives where he gained a rudimentary primary education. Then his father, Venkatappa Naidu, died prematurely, and his relatives usurped all his property. Venkatasubbiah was orphaned.
Balasubbaramadas
During the time of his stay with the relatives of the Kannam, Venkatasubbiah started studying Amara Kosa, started visiting temples, singing devotional songs, particularly those of Bhadrachala Ramdas. He used to prostrate at the feet of sadhus and saints whenever they visited that temple and used to serve them, attending to their comforts. The elders of that temple were struck by this devotion and started calling him Balasubba Ramadas. He spent time waiting in a hermitage for the Mouna (silent) Swami to come out,dispense with silence and give teachings. In those days Ramana Maharishi was doing pennance in the sacred shrine of Tiruvannamali and was well known and respected by all. Balasubbaramdas heard about this sage adn the desire to meet this sage grew in him stronger and stronger. At age 20, Balasubbaramdas went to meet this holy personage.
In those days, Ramana Maharishi was staying in the Virupaksha cave in the Arunachala Hills. His path was the path of Jnana. He used to observe silence most of the time. Balasubbaramadas went straight into the cave in the Arunachala hill and prostrated himself at the feet of the sage Ramana Maharishi. He requested the sage with humility to teach him the spiritual truth. The sage urged him to know "Who am I", and if he could get his, then atmabodha or spiritual wisdom was contained in this. The lad did not understand this and was dissatisfied. He remained in Tiruvannamalai because he considered it good to remain in a shrine town.
Becomes a Sanyasin
In 1918 Balasubbaramadas came to Tirumalai and worshipped Sri Venkateswara who was hailed as god granting boons to all in Kali Yuga. He then proceeded to Gogarbha to meet Sri Malayala Swami. On arrival he was told the Swami was in mouna and he would have to wait until he came out. At 12 noon, the Swami emerged from his cave and broke tapas and took water from his mudpot.Balasubbaramadas prostrated before the Swami, who cast an approving smile of grace upon him. He spoke some words in Tamil, which Balasubbaramadas did not know. Balasubbaramadas stayed for several days and developed the desire to stay longer. When the Swami left his abode to to establish another ashram,Vyasasrama, Balasubbaramadas accompanied him, and along with others, began
to busy themselves in lokaseva.
Shortly after, Balasubbaramadas developed a desire to visit Swami Sivananda in his ashram in Rishikesh on the Ganges River. He wrote a letter to Swami Sivananda about his intention to come and visit that ashram. Swami Sivananda gave permission to visit. With a companion, he took leave of Swami Malayala and departed. His companion inexplicably disappeared. He met with another youngster and together went to Rishikesh. At Rishikesh, he developed the desire to join the order of renunciants.
He returned to Malayala Swami and asked him to grant initation. Malayala Swami told his desire was good, but as he had not taken initiation, he could not grant it. He had to return to Rishikesh to recieve initaion from Swami Sivananda. Balasubbaramadas asked for a name to give to Sivananda as he always asked for a name taken when donning the saffron robe, and he would give that name. Malayala Swami told, "You have a lot of compassion to living beings, even from your childhood. So you can suggest the name "Karunyananda" as your preference. So Venkatasubbiah-Balasubbaramadas came to his name.
In 1933, Mahatama Gandhi came to Rishikesh. His fame had spread far and wide. A public meeting was held to honour the Mahatama. Swami Karunyananda was among the crowd at the public meeting. Gandhi felicitated the sanyasins on his arrival, and added that their presence gave him joy. He asked what the sanyasins were doing. One stood and replied to the effect that they were doing pennance (tapas). Gandhi asked, "What is tapas?" No-one answered him.
He replied, "Embodiments of the Divine Atma, Tapas does not mean leaving off all your duties and doing meditation. Thinking of oneself and not caring about others cannot be called pennance. A life filled with non violence is pennance for the world. So you sadhus should work for the welfare of the world.
Gandhi was to conclude with these words: "Dear Sadhus! Are you not the people who have dedicated your hearts to God? Manava seva is Madhava seva, service to man is service to God. Use your physical bodies which you have already dedicated to God to the service of God through the service of your fellow beings. If there is any man among you who would do such a seva, please raise your hand!"
At the conclusion of the Mahatama's talk, there was silence. Gandhi told his followers that only one had raised his hand and to get his name. It was Karunyananda. He had joined the Sanyas order only in that year. Later, Karunyananda wrote to Gandhi seeking his blessings, sure that his effort to do service would be rewarded soon. Two months later, Gandhi wrote back and said, "Mahatamaji, you have written a letter to me seeking my blessings. My blessing is with me only; If you follow Truth without any lapse that itself will bless you. That is always with you. It will protect you throughout your life. Truth is the real form of God. If you have this with you, it is as good as having everything. So you must follow Truth. Worship it, put it into practice and offer it to the world. I am praying to God to bless your good efforts and thoughts".
In 1936, Swami Karunyananda had seen Sathyanarayana Raju being taken in a procession with traditional accopaniments of Nadaswaram, music, etc, as a Divine Child, at Bhadachalam. It would be 40 years later that Swami
Karunyananda would settle down in Puttaparthi.
Swami Karunyananda Speaks
I have the good fortune of being the first person to greet Bhagavan in the morning. I go upstairs, and open the door of Bhagavan's room and have darshan and padnamaskar of Bhagavan. There is Sakthi in the feet of Swami.There is power in the glances of Swami. His body is not like ours, it is a Chinmaya Sareeram (divine energy form). Ours is a body made up of dust, which dissolves finally, into the primordial elements of Earth, Water, Fire,Air, and Ether. He is not limited to one form. He is the form of all deities worshipped by religions. He is the very embodiment of Chaitanya (energy, force). He is the embodiment of all Gods. We cannot probe into Him. Have you not seen Him during the mornings? He has a special effulgence in Him; sometimes this effulgence is frightening. On the last day of Devi Navaratri (Dasara) when Poorna Ahuti is performed, His body temperature becomes hot. I have touched His feet at such times and found that they were very hot.In 1958, Sai Baba visited Rajahmundry. Malayala Swamy and Karunyananda had the darshan of Bhagavan. Bhagavan called him by the name "Karunyananda," and spoke to him as if he knew him very intimately. Karunyananda turned and bowed down to Bhagavan. It was night time, about 8:00 p.m. Bhagavan said, "Will you come to Kakinada? We will go together."
He replied, "As you please, Swami."
Karunyananda went to Kakinada with Bhagavan and during the car journey Bhagavan recounted his entire past history. He gave very intimate details of his conduct when he was young. Bhagavan was born in 1926. He was not even born yet when Kuranyananda was young, but all the same, He gave all the biographical details correctly.
Karunyananda became very devoted to Bhagavan after hearing these words during the trip. The eagerness to meet Bhagavan again was very strongly rooted in Karunyananda's heart and he awaited the opportunity. Baba visited Rajahmundry again after two years. Karunyananda spent the entire period of Baba's stay in Rajahmundry in the Divine company only. His faith in Baba grew stronger. After this, Baba returned to Puttaparthi. Karunyananda started visiting Puttaparthi often, especially for the important celebrations. Dassera is celebrated as a great event in Puttaparti. Baba
used to shower vibhuti from an empty pot on the idol of Shirdi Sai Baba in front of thousands of devotees in Poornachandra auditorium. The idol would be mounted on a pedestal. When Baba came, Karunyananda would hold an empty pitcher upside down. As soon as Baba put his hand into the pitcher, it would become heavy and on withdrawing his hand, it would again become lighter. It was the singular good fortune of Karunyananda to be with Baba and witness
this event.
Once Karunyananda went to Chittoor on Sangham work. Due to exhaustion, he fell down in a swoon. The Government Hospital Doctor, Ramakrishna Rao, a Sai Devotee, attended on him. He informed Baba about this on the phone. Baba
told him to send Karunyananda to Parthi immediately. They could not disturb Karunyananda at that stage as he was not in a fit state to travel. But on account of Baba's advise, they took him to Puttaparthi by car. When the car got to Puttaparthi, Karunyanada got down, hurried to Baba's abode and fell at his feet. "Have you come, karunyananda. I have arranged a room in the ground floor as you cannot climb the stairs." So Karunyananda had a room on the ground floor of the mandir during his illness.
Till 6th September Karunyananda used to visit Puttaparthi on and off, but from that date he settled for good at Puttapathi. In the beginning he used to stay in a room adjoining Baba's room. Later on, he was allocated Room 24
in South Prashanthi.
Swami Karunyananda Speaks
We would be sitting with Bhagavan at times, and He would be found as if He was somewhere else. He would later say, "I have just returned from Madras. Papum (Alas)! Vijayalakshmi is suffering very much. I went to the hospital. I gave her prasad and there is no problem with her now. She will be all right."
Thereafter confirmatory telegrams or letters would arrive adding that, "Bhagavan was here but He went away without taking [food or offering] anything." Take the incident at Tirupati, which happened around 1989-90. It was 10:00 a.m. in the morning and Bhagavan was very much in Brindavan at Bangalore. Yet, He was simultaneously seen at Tirupati! He was given a chair; He was seated. All this happened. Should Bhagavan put on dramas like others? No, it is all the grace of Bhagavan.
Gold remains gold wherever it is thrown. One day Swami asked me,
"Karunyananda, from the beginning I have always been simple, have I not?"
Swami was then wearing a torn dhoti that day. I did not like this. So, I asked Him, "Swami, why do you wear a torn dhoti when you have so many good dhotis?" I tried to prevail on Swami for removing the torn dhoti. Swami
smiled and then pleaded, "Oh? Will you tear it up? Was it not my leela that day when I sought for a handful of atukulu (beaten rise) from Kuchela? [A story from Krishna's life] Are you not seeing me for the last thirty six years like this?"
Once when I was returning from Kakinada in 1956 Bhagavan said,"Karunyananda, you are clapping in union seated before me now. A time will come when you can see me only from a distance." He told me again in 1970, "You are able to sit and see Bhagavan now. A time will come when you have to see Swami from a hill only." On His 60th birthday in 1985, many devotees could only see Him from the distance of a hill.
The passing of Karunyananda (Divine Discourse, Dassera, 08 October 1997)
"You may all know what happened today. Karunyananda had been with Swami for forty years. He was a centenarian. Today his body merged in the five elements. For the passing of any person the time, the place and the circumstances have to come together. Here in this hall the recitation of the Vedas is going on. The Jnana Yajna is being performed. He was listening to all these sacred things. He went to sleep at night and passed away in his sleep. He came to me a week ago. Swami asked him. "Karunyananda! What is it you want?" He replied: "I need nothing. I only want to merge in your Lotus Feet. There is no purpose in my continuing." I asked him why he was speaking in this manner: "What more is there for me to enjoy in life? I have experienced everything. I have stayed and moved with Swami for forty years."
He came with me to Kashmir and Shimla, Gaya and Prayag. He came with me to all places, wherever I went. Staying with me, he passed away with a sense of fulfillment."
Prof. Anil Kumar shares the dialogues and interactions he has with Swami in his Sunday talks. And as he says, the dialogues with Swami are "spiritual, highly informative, resourceful, and serves as a guideline, particularly to seekers and aspirants". And very humorous too! Here is an excerpt.
"Bhagavan, we know that You are God. But why don't we follow You? We know that You are God! But we are not following You. Why? We fail to follow Your Footsteps. Why should it happen? Why?"
Bhagavan gave a beautiful example here: "You say that you love God, but you do not have faith in Me. You know. Knowing is one thing. Faith in the knowledge, faith in that which is known, is a different thing." You have known Baba is God. Fine. But we have not reposed faith in that which has been known.
So Bhagavan says, "You know that. Agreed. But you do not have faith in what is known." So, by merely knowing that Baba is God, it is not enough. One should have faith in Baba that He is God. Then he would be able to follow Him. And Baba gave another example. What is it? Mother prepares so many delicacies. She makes so many preparations - sweets, hot things, whatnot. She's so happy with her child, with her son. She makes so many preparations. But the boy wants to visit Holiday Inn! (Laughter) Holiday Inn or Hotel Oberoi - five-star hotel! That which is prepared at home, which is highly nutritive, where everything is in perfect hygiene and healthy, that food is not relished by the son. He wants to buy something outside and he wants to enjoy. 'Let me go to a five-star hotel! Why here?' Similarly, when God's Grace is in abundance, when God's Love is Infinite, still people run after, away from God because of the lack of faith.
So, my friends, to relate this once again: We fail to follow the footsteps of God because of the lack of faith, in the first instance. And the second reason is, like the son who does not know the value of the cookies and the donuts and the pie made by Mother at home, he runs after the cafeteria and restaurant outside. Like that, we also have forgotten the value of the Divinity. We also have forgotten the price of the Divinity. So we run hither and thither. That's what Bhagavan has said.
Third point He said is this. (All the points are interrelated.) What did He say? We want to run away from God. We don't want to follow Him? Why? Two reasons He said already. Third reason He is telling now. What is the third reason that makes us helpless, that makes us run away and get away from His nearness or proximity? What is the third reason?
Swami gave one example. Mother made preparations. Here you must have known paysam, rice pudding. OK? It is something like pie. I think you will follow that pie example. It is a sweet preparation, like laddus, which Bhagavan distributes. Everyone must be familiar with the laddus. OK? Now Mother prepares those sweets at home. But she sometimes does not serve them to her son. Mother has laddus, sweets, but she does not serve them to her son. Why?
Son is suffering from a sugar complaint, diabetic. Son is a diabetic. But the son does not understand this. 'Why does she not give me a laddu? Why not? She serves laddus to everybody. Why not me? She has so many. She serves in twos and threes to everybody! But she doesn't give even one fourth to me! What is all this? Nonsense! Is she a mother? Does she love me? No! It's time to run away from home!'
Similarly, some of our desires are not granted. Some of our ambitions are not fulfilled. Some of our attempts meet with total failure. Some of our endeavors must have been totally out of our expectation - a total loss in business or a failure in our attempts. That will make us frustrated! 'We can think of God later. Let me cry now!'
In times of loss, in times of suffering, in times of damage, calamity or a tragedy, it is all the more imperative to hold onto God. It is all the more necessary to cling on to God. Why? Bhagavan gave one example: Mother starts beating the child, the little naughty child who is running along the darshan line, spoiling the mood of everybody (which some children do) when Swami starts walking along that direction. Naturally they start crying, as if they could not postpone or advance it! Now when a child runs like that, Mother is helpless. What does she do? She'll just catch hold of him and start beating. This fellow starts crying. But he will not run away from her, which is a natural quality of a child. When the child is beaten, the child hugs the Mother, embraces and hugs her more and more, holds her in his tight grip. The child will be holding Mother, hugging onto Mother more than before!
Similarly, just as the beaten child clings onto, holds onto and hugs the Mother more intensively, the person who suffers, the person in sadness, the person in misery, the person in trouble, turmoil or challenging situations, should hold onto God much more than during any other convenient, comfortable, wish-fulfilling, 'honeymoon' season!
Life is not a 'honeymoon' all through. They have not given any name to the rest of life! They gave a name only to the first period - 'honeymoon'.They are afraid to name the rest because they have to face the consequences! (Laughter) The first period they gave a lovely name, in order to enjoy the taste of life. The next period, well, to be on the safe side, they have not given the name because it is more to be realized and experienced than said!
So similarly, just as the child should understand, 'Mother has not given me a laddu. Mother has not offered me a sweet. It is not that she doesn't love me. It's not that she has no affection towards me. It is in my own interests that she has not given to me. I am diabetic. She wants me to live long. It is love towards me which made her withhold, withdraw the love of offering a laddu to me!' That should be the proper understanding.
So, my friends, as Bhagavan says, "Desires are not fulfilled. Why? It is in our own interests." Some of the plans are unsuccessful - due to it being in our own interest! Some of the dreams have not been realized - for our own betterment! When we consider it this way, we'll never run away from the Hands of God. These things Bhagavan has said.
Tead this complete talk, go to link : http://www.geocities.com/saienterprises/anil/1102.htm
To read all the talks which Prof. Anil Kumar gave at Prasanthi Nilayam in 2001 and 2002, go to link : http://www.geocities.com/saienterprises/anil/anil-title.htm
Why does the Lord incarnate at this time? It is to save the
world from destruction by man himself. Man has sunk to lowest levels in his craving for power and material pursuits and he has become obsessed with himself.
So the Lord incarnates, to guide him into the spiritual path. It
is not easy and it takes time but that is the Sai Mission. How is it
achieved? By education and RE-EDUCATION, hence the very big educational projects in India with special schools, colleges, and now the University. These are the seeds which the Lord is sowing and they will produce results all over the world. The beginning may seem slow, but later, the pace will quicken and nothing will be able to stand in the way or obstruct the will of the Lord.
You are ALL involved in this Mission and you have a great
Opportunity and Responsibility. Do not let that chance slip by you, for it may NEVER come again. Listen to My words and try to RESPOND in a way which will bring happiness into your own life and the lives of many others
What about Sai Activities? Activity is ACTION. You must work, you must serve, you must forget self. Be happy to sacrifice yourself for the benefit of others. Love is the motivating force, Divine Love, for that is the seed I have planted in each one of you. It is only through Love and understanding that the world can be saved and you, all of you, are My Instruments.
(Sai Messages for you and me - Vol 1 - Lucas Ralli)
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