Restore The Glory of Bharat

An extract from a divine discourse by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Nov 23, 1990.

Embodiments of the Divine Atma! Esteeming love as the essence of divinity, you have to engage yourselves in loving service to society. You have to restore the glory of Bharat. Bharat has been in the past the preceptor for all nations. All other people are coming to acquire peace and enlightenment. In this situation, it is a great misfortune that Bharatiyas themselves are not conscious of their greatness. Bharatiya history reflects the achievements of Bharat in the realms of the physical, the mental, the spiritual and all other aspects of life. We have to fill our hearts with this heritage.

Today we are dedicating our lives to material and worldly comforts. Of what avail are all these appurtenances? We have to realise the Atmic principle which is the source of enduring bliss. All the knowledge that is acquired, all the positions one may get are of no use if there is no love in the heart. The acquisition of good qualities is more essential than the pursuit of knowledge.

The magnet of Divine love

Why is it that so many lakhs of people have gathered here today? There must be some compelling reason for it. You must be seeking something which you have not found in your native place. There would be no need for you to incur all this expenditure if you could find what

 you wanted in your own place. Here there is Divine Love. It is this powerful magnet of Divine

Love, which has been attracting all the iron filings in the form of human beings. Not a single invitation was sent to anyone. No one was asked to come. What has drawn all people here is the power of Divine Love, the bonds uniting hearts. At the root of all this is purity. Where there is purity, there love grows. When purity and love come together, there is Ananda (bliss). Whatever work we do, whatever sacrifices we perform, they are not of much use in the absence of love.

In yoga practice, some types of breath control are adopted. The Kundalini yoga is also practised. All this is a form of business. In the breathing exercises, inhalation is described as Purakam, exhalation as Rechakam and holding the breath as Kumbhakam. These do not constitute the means to achieve yogic power. To breathe in all that is good is Purakam. To give up all that is bad is Rechakam. To retain in the heart what is good is Kumbhakam. Everyone is qualified to practise this kind of yoga. This divine type of yoga should be practised by every human being. This is the primary goal of every Bharatiya.

This Puttaparthi is a small hamlet. How has this village attained this eminent state? Each one can find the answer for himself. This should not be considered as a yoga or a great piece of good fortune or a lucky accident. It is due to the power of thought. Every sacred thought has the power to find fulfilment. This is why Vedanta declared: "Yadbhaavam tadbhavati" (As one thinks, that he becomes). Hence, every man should develop good thoughts. Thereby he gets entitled to the right of fruits.

Adjusting to difficulties is a form of penance

Embodiments of Divine Love! Although in this Prashaanthi Nilayam adequate facilities and conveniences are not available, and many of you who are used to various amenities have gathered here, you have submitted yourselves to a kind of yoga by which you have adjusted yourselves to all the inconveniences. You should regard this experience as sadhana (spiritual exercise). Enjoying all comforts cannot constitute sadhana. It is through difficulties that you experience happiness. Happiness cannot be realised without going through trouble. Such difficulties must be regarded as a form of penance. Easy life cannot become a penance. The fact that so many lakhs of people have gathered here, putting up with many difficulties and inconvenience, is striking testimony to their sense of unity. Human effort is needed for achieving anything. In the improvement of accommodation and various amenities at Prashaanthi Nilayam over the past twenty years, what has been accomplished is the work of Joga Rao. As a member of the Central Trust for twenty years, he has laboured hard day and night ceaselessly to bring about these improvements in Prashaanthi

Nilayam. He is a Karma Yogi. He takes delight in work. Moreover, what he has been doing tirelessly night and day during the past twelve months is known only to Me and none else. He is not Col. Joga Rao. They call him Colonel Jogi, but he is indeed a Karma Yogi. For the past one month he has not had a moment's sleep. He is 82 years old. It is because even at this age he has laboured to provide as many amenities as possible, the devotees have been able to overcome their difficulties. To mark their appreciation of Joga Rao's services, the members of the Central Trust decided to honour him suitably. I do not regard Joga Rao as an outsider. But duty demands that a certain thing should be done. In honouring Joga Rao the Central Trust is discharging a duty. (Bhagavan then put a kadiyams in gold round the wrists of Col. Joga Rao. The entire gathering cheered as Col. Joga Rao came to receive the kadiyams from the Divine hands.

Bhagavan told Col. Joga Rao sotto voce that he should carry on the good work with the same

energy). There should be many more karma jivis and karma yogis like Joga Rao in Bharat in the coming years. Everyone should become a karma yogi. That Karma gets transformed into Dharma. That Karma will sanctify human life.

Bharat is not a poor country

It is the duty of everyone to cultivate faith in the Divine, get immersed in Karmayoga and divinise his life. No Bharatiya should forget the sacredness of Bharat. Bharat is not at all a poor country. It is because this fact is not realised that the country is riddled with strife and disorder.

Failing to distinguish between what is transient and what is permanent, people are ruining their lives in the pursuit of fleeting pleasures. For the sake of trivial and momentary benefits, people are sacrificing what is of lasting value.

At the time of attaining freedom, only 13 percent of the population was considered backward. This percentage has gone on increasing over the years and today it is 80 percent! In five or six years, it may become cent percent! This is not proper at all.

Bharat is not made up of backward classes. For the sake of some petty concessions such classifications are being made. Foreign countries are regarding Bharat as a poverty-stricken country. Embodiments of Divine Love! Remember Bharat is a land of plenty. No country is so well endowed with resources as Bharat. Why, then, should we call ourselves a poor nation? Nor is that all. In the fields of education and medicine, we have to develop the spirit of sacrifice.

Make education available free for all

You all know how many students lost their lives (by self-immolation) a month ago. What is the reason? It was a protest against the system of reservation on a communal basis. We must seek to promote a system which will make education available freely to all. Education must be for the

sake of learning. When that happens, these problems will not arise among students. Here we have today the President of India, the Chief Minister and the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and other eminent persons. In the sphere of education, if we do not create new classifications like 'backward' and 'forward' and establish a system of free education for all, without distinctions of rich or poor, the nation will make striking progress. We are wasting crores of rupees. If we ensure the right kind of future for our children, the nation will benefit

immensely. Every spiritual organization should also provide free education.

It is well known that the Tirupati Devasthanam has plenty of funds. Why should not the authorities there offer free education? How many crores are being wasted? It is because education is not free, not one of the students in the Devasthanam educational institutions cares to visit the temple. How can devotion grow? In the name of the Lord free education and medical relief should be provided.

The aim of 100-crore hospital project

With this object in view, we decided yesterday to establish a big hospital here. Many persons appealed to me to set up the hospital in an urban centre. There are many medical institutions run as a business in several cities. When any educational or medical institution is established, the sole aim is to make a business of it. There are few who are ready to set up such institutions to provide free facilities for the poor. Therefore, from the start we decided to set up a hundred-crore hospital near Prashaanthi Nilayam itself. Even as higher education is free here, "Higher medicine" also will be free. People spend some lakhs to get heart surgery done in the U.S. What is the plight of the poor? Who looks after them? If they go to the cities, they will not get even coloured water (mixtures). Recognising this fact, we have launched this big hospital project.

Whether it is heart bypass operation, or a kidney transplant, or a lung operation or brain surgery, everything will be done free. This has been decided upon from the very starting of the project.

The hospital will be opened on November 22, 1991. No one can understand Sai Sankalpa (workings of the mind). Thought and action are simultaneous like the light and sound that come

out when a gun is fired. Hence it is not easy for everyone to understand Sai's resolve.

The Sathya Sai saga

Embodiments of Divine Love! Do not regard what I am going to say as an exaggeration. There is not a trace of self-interest in Me. Whatever I do is only for the sake of others. I do not regard you as others. All of you are My own people. Such an all-encompassing feeling cannot be found anywhere in the world. Have you seen anywhere else an organization which has grown so stupendously in fifty years?

In the case of earlier avatars, their fame grew only long after their passing. In the case of the present avatar, in His own life-time, a university, a big hospital, an aerodrome and  many other things have been established for the benefit of the villagers and many more will follow in the years ahead. Many persons have doubts as to how all these are being accomplished. The advent (of this avatar) took place 64 years ago. All these years, this hand has not been stretched at any time to seek anything from anyone. I have not asked anyone. I will never ask anyone and there will never be an occasion for it. How then are these things happening? For any good work, there is no impediment in Bharat. When you want to do any good work wholeheartedly, money flows in torrents. The narrow-minded who undertake any work will never be satisfied. They cannot understand the actions of those who are large-hearted and broad-minded.

Embodiments of Divine Love! I do not expect anything from you. Only, develop love within you. Regard all mankind with fraternal feelings. Recognize all as the children of God. Bear no ill-will or hatred towards anyone. Do not hurt anyone's feelings. Only such a large-hearted attitude will confer on you limitless bliss. If you are celebrating Swami's birthday, this is all that I desire from you. Have unity among yourselves. Strive to revive and promote the glory of Bharat.

"I am always filled with infinite joy"

As I was coming here, some people greeted Me with the words: “Happy birthday! Happy birthday!" I am always happy. I need no "Happy" greetings. Convey your greetings of "Happy birthday" to those who are not happy. I am filled with infinite joy. I have never had any worry at any time or place. What is the reason? All things are transient like passing clouds. Why worry about them? We should not be elated or depressed by births or deaths. We came naked into the world. When we leave, we cannot leave our address with "our" kith and kin. How can they be "our kinsfolk?" All these are worldly phenomena. As long as we live, we should spend our lives in harmony and fellow-feeling. All our difficulties can be overcome by contemplation on God.

Forgetting God and immersing yourself in worldly concerns, what do you achieve? Have firm faith in God. Don't give room for differences of caste, creed and nationality. All names and forms belong to the Divine. All that you see is a manifestation of the Cosmic Form of the Lord. With firm faith in the Divine, chanting the Lord's name, redeem your lives.

ATMAJYOTHI – The Eternal Light of SatChitAnanda

Self Enquiry

 An article by Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal

(Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal has served for over 3 decades in Swami’s institution and is the former Principal of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Institutions at Muddenahalli. Inspired by Swami’s direct message to study the Upanishads, he first learnt Sanskrit and then studied the direct works of Adi Shankaracharya and Swami. Sincere perseverance led him to the reality of Aham Brahmasmi and He realized and experienced Swami’s words: “I am God and so are you”. He shares the import of the Upanishadic teachings with us in this series of articles.)

(In the last edition, we had discussed about the need to deliberate on all the three states of wakefulness, dream and deep sleep. We had concluded that the Self is the dearest of all for everyone.  We carry forward this discussion to understand the nature of the Self further).

21. Q: The wakeful state contains real objects, real body, real organs of sense, etc... In this state, the Self knows the real objects through the real mind, and through the real organs of sense. The Self remains the same in the Form of Awareness; and the love of all is directed towards their Self. Therefore, we have a chance to know the Self who is of the Form of Existence-Awareness-Bliss in the wakeful-state. How do we know the Self who is of same Form in the dream where everything is false?

A: What is real, and what is false? Nature of every object is the same. All these objects are known and they never know themselves. Those objects that appear to exist either in the wakeful or in the dream states –cannot transfer themselves from one state to another one. A plenty of such objects exist unitedly for the use of someone and those objects don’t remain for themselves .But, the Self exists in all these states. We cannot imagine His non-existence anywhere. His Form of Awareness remains undisturbed. None hates this Form of the Self; He is eternally the most beloved of all. Therefore, the Self is always of the Form of Existence-Awareness-Bliss.

22. Q: If the Self remains eternally in His Form, why does He obtain dream and wakeful states? Because the Self is having these two states we hesitate to tell that He always remains in the Form Not only that, we are forced to tell that the Awareness is the main Form. It is because all other forms of His vary differently and this Self exists in the form of awareness; therefore, as you have shown earlier, because of this form alone He is of the Form of Existence. And  on the basis of this  Form of  Awareness ( Chid-Roopa ) , we can prove  the Bliss of the Self; and  this is because , by whose  awareness we like  everything, that  Awareness is the dearest of all. Therefore, the Self is proved that He is the Form of Bliss. Hence, if the Awareness Form of the Self remains constantly, then only Existence-Awareness-Bliss-Form of the Self is known. But in the deep-sleep  state such form  doesn’t exist at all; because, there, the Self  knows nothing  thus, when  the  Self  has this  Awareness –Form, He gets wakeful and dream states. In the deep-sleep, the Self loses this Form of Awareness. Therefore, it is not reasonable to tell that the Self is always in the Form of Existence-Awareness-Bliss!

A: We have never told the Self who is of the Form of Existence-Awareness-Bliss obtains the wakeful and dream states. For the question, who does get      the wakeful-state? We have answered that one who experiences the state alone has it.    

Q: What is this? Have I not agreed that I experience the wakeful state?

A: Yes. If you agree to experience the state, let it be so.

Q: Sir, am I not the experiencer of the state?

A: Yes. Existence-Awareness-Bliss is the real Form of the experiencer, and the ‘I ‘feeling (ego) is not the real form.

Q: It means that the Existence-Awareness-Bliss-Form itself takes ego-form.

A: No. I-feeling itself is the form of ego. The Self of Existence-Awareness-Bliss –Form   doesn’t have the ego-form.

Q: I don’t understand this. At first you told that I was of the form of Existence-Awareness-Bliss Self. Now , you tell that I-feeling  is the ego-form  and  the Self  doesn’t  have  the  ego !

A:  Your real  Form  is  Existence-Awareness-Bliss  and   the  I-feeling  appears  in  you  is the ego-form . This ego-form is called as egoism (Ahamkaara). The states appear in the egoism but your Existence-Awareness-Bliss-Form doesn’t have the states. I have not given contrary statements. This is because egoism is not your real form.

23. Q: Why not? Whenever I engage in activities then this I-feeling appears isn’t it? If this I-feeling is not my real form, then it should be seen by me as the organs of sense are seen, isn’t it?

24. Q: Then, this awareness form also is not my real one. This is because; in the deep-sleep we don’t have any type of awareness. Thus, in the deep-sleep, neither egoism nor for m of awareness is found.  Therefore,  I  find that  I  don’t  have  any form of  awareness  at  all.

A: This is not right. Similarly, a few Buddhists deliberated and found that   they did not have any form.  That dispute is called the Void Disputation (Shoonya   Vaada).  The void means nothing exists.

Q: If this void disputation becomes fit to the experience; why should we not accept this theory? Have  you  not  told  the  experience  that  comes   out  of  examining  the  states  completely  is  the  truth?

A: True. But  the  theory  that  you  accept  doesn’t  become  fit  to  the  experience ; and  this  decision  of  yours  has  not  come  after  the  complete  deliberation  of  the  states .

  Q: How is it?

  A: It  is  because ; there  is  no  supportive  statement  that  tells  that  there  is  no  form  of  awareness  in  the  deep-sleep.

Q: Why not?  If that form exists, it should appear to me. I  have  never  seen  either  this  form  of  awareness  or  any  other  form. Is this experience of mine not enough?        

A: You have told that you have    seen nothing. The  very  experience  of  yours  clearly  declares that  you  have  the  form  of  awareness. This  is  because, you  reject  all  the  objects  that  are  seen  here; and  you  have  not  rejected  your  Real  Form  of  Awareness.

Q: In  the  deep-sleep  that  form  of  awareness  is  also  never  seen !

A: If  that  form  of  awareness  is  not  seen , that  doesn’t  matter. We  have  not  told  that  this  Form  of  Awareness  is  an  object  that  could  be  seen. We  have  told  that  the  awareness  is  Form, that  is  not  an  object, and  that  illumines  by  itself  always  independently . You too have agreed to this!

 

Q: Have I agreed to this? Have  I  not  told  that  the  awareness-form  doesn’t  appear  to  me?

A: Yes. That  is  why , you  are  the  form  of  awareness  to  whom  the  awareness-form  is  not  seen. You  tell  that  if  any  object  existed  it  could  have  been  seen  and  you  have  not  seen  such  objects  in  the  deep-sleep; then  you  have  had  the  form  of  awareness  to  tell  that  the  absence  of  the  objects. Therefore, it is proved that the Form of Existence-Awareness-Bliss always exists.

Q: Sir, I have a doubt. You  have  told  that  the  egoism  is  found  in  the  wakeful  and  dream  states; and   Existence-Awareness-Bliss-Form  doesn’t  have  these  three  states. And, you  have  shown  that  there  is  no  egoism  in  the  deep-sleep. By this, it is told that the Existence-Awareness-Bliss-Form has deep-sleep!

A: What is the deep-sleep? Nothing is seen there, isn’t it? Then how can it be a state? ‘ A  patient  without  any  disease ‘- is  a  meaningless  statement; similarly, the  statement : ‘Nothing  is  seen  in  the  Self; and  this  is  a  change  in  the  Self ‘

Q: Why the above statement is meaningless? The  Self  sees  something  or  else  in  the  wakeful  and  dream  states. In the deep-sleep state He doesn’t see. Are seeing and not seeing the   nature of the Self?

A: No. Suppose, if  a  few  objects  are  placed  in  front  of  a  burning  lamp , it  illumines  them; if  the  objects  are  removed , the  lamp  continues  to  burn. In  both  the  cases  there  is  no  difference  in  the  illumination  of  the  lamp. Similarly, the  Self  knows  the  non-self-objects  either  in  the  wakeful  or  in  the  dream  states, and  the  Self  doesn’t  know  anything  in  the  deep-sleep; there  is  no  special  change  in  the  awareness  of  the  Self. Therefore, knowing  and  not  knowing  are  not  two  natures  of  the  Self.

Astrology and Spirituality- Demystifying Rahu

By KVRK Bhargav

(Bhargav is a student of Swami who after completing his B.Tech in Textile Engineering graduated with an MBA from the the Sri Sathya Sai University in 2001. Ever since, he has had the great fortune of waiting for Swami’s direct guidance. He has been blessed with many interactions with Swami and he pursues astrology as a hobby to understand how it complements and dovetails spirituality. He shares his insights on how the planets are not causes of fear; rather they all serve the common goal of prodding man towards his spiritual destiny of Self Realization).

“What a shot?” yelled my brother seeing the stroke play of Sehwag on satellite TV. My grandmother was intently listening to the live streaming of mellifluous mandir Bhajans on the cell phone. My father was doing video conferencing on the internet. I was writing an article which would be published in an e-journal. Suddenly, we heard the buzzer of our microwave oven and mother called us all for breakfast. Welcome to the mechanized, virtual and illusory world of Rahu (the northern node or dragon’s head).

 “Please furnish your PNR number and mobile number” requested the receptionist when I called for conformation of train ticket. I realized that an individual has been reduced to a string of numbers, ids and passwords. The geographical boundaries are shrinking day by day but distances among people are increasing.  Adi Shankara says, ‘ Brahma satyam jagan mithya’. The present age has taken this concept to the next level by creating another virtual world like Facebook in the already existing illusory world, thanks to Rahu.

Rahu is the master of illusion and virtuality. Rahu is represented as the illusory force of nature i.e.maya. It is represented as a dark black cloud in symbolisms. Rahu is the significator of electromagnetism resulting in the present advances in the field of electromagnetics. Nicola Tesla the father of magnetism and inventor of radio and alternating current coil had a strong influence of Rahu in his horoscope. As all the advances in electromagnetism have happened in the last two hundred years, why is it that Rahu, who has been around for millenniums, gave all these electronics only today? This seems a reasonable question from a reader’s point of view.

In my opinion, Rahu is able to give this electronic propulsion because we are escaping the Kali yuga  through, the Dwarpara Yuga which has electric knowledge and Treta Yuga which has magnetic knowledge to finally reach the sathya yuga. Perhaps, Bhagawan means this very thing when He talks of golden age.  Rahu is the instrument to develop these energies at the right time.

                                                         

Astronomically, Rahu is one the two points of intersection between the plane of earth and sun ecliptic and the plane of earth and moon trajectory; the other point of intersection being Ketu. In Vedic science, the conjunction of Rahu and Ketu with sun and moon results in eclipses. Our ancient seers had the expertise to predict the occurrences of eclipses with utmost precision.

 In mythology, during the churning of the ocean, when nectar emerged from the ocean of milk, one demon Swarabhanu defected to the camp of devas and drank the nectar.  When Vishnu comes to know about this, he cuts the head of this demon. As the demon had already partaken the nectar, the head and the torso live as Rahu and Ketu. The head is where food is taken but without the stomach to digest it, Rahu stands for insatiable and uncontrollable desires.  Rahu is symbolized as the head of a snake which has been cut from the tail due to this very reason. As Rahu is an imaginary point (chaya graha) and not a tangible heavenly body, its influence on our lives is very subtle, mysterious and deceptive thus comparing it with a snake.

Rahu is a double edged sword. It can work in a lower level and also a higher level which depends on the evolution of the soul in question. It gives a nature of seeking quick results using short cuts and dubious means eventually leading to downfall. The ruthless tyrant and world conqueror Chengiz Khan, has Rahu placed in the tenth house of ambition and occupation. It is placed in the martial sign of Aries ( a sign signifying skills of initiative, aggression and leadership) which made  him develop an insatiable desire for conquests and wars. He used the Rahu energy for self-aggrandizement and self interest. In contrast, Subhash Chandra Bose who has a similar placement allowed his Rahu to work in a selfless way, by fighting for the cause of freedom for the motherland. The internal struggle which he went through during his lifetime to understand the true meaning of life and the underlying reality of the objective world, suggests that, he was using the energies of Rahu to understand maya and not get entangled by it. When Rahu works in a higher level in tenth house, the person will spiritually advance in life and set an example for others to follow.

Rahu placed with or associated with moon which signifies the mind of an individual, result in extreme personalities. When God descends down on earth as an avatar, He accepts the limitations of the body and allows himself to be governed by the physical laws of nature. Bhagawan Baba has Rahu and moon together in the ninth house of spirituality which equipped him with vast and limitless powers of the mind and spirit which is unmatched in the human history. But if this power works in a negative way it can create spiritual wrecks or bigots. Nietzche had this placement and his life was a tale of genius bordering on insanity.

Rahu rules fashion, the dream world and mass trends. Thus, it governs the tinsel world where the world of dreams or the reel world is used to portray the real world. The lives of celebrities are best examples of Rahu. Rahu always sets the trends for the masses. The ingenious invention of wheel, the steam engine, the airplane of Wright brothers or the social networking world of   Facebook all have changed the way people live and perceive the world.

Rahu is not all that bad as it is portrayed. It shows us the purpose of the present life or our material destiny leading to spiritual understanding. The placement of Rahu in a chart suggests the area of life, which we have to work on, in this birth. We might find ourselves moving slowly towards that objective by the influence of Rahu. If it is placed in the first house of self, one has to concentrate more on knowing himself. A classic example of this placement is the mystic and philosopher J. Krishnamurti. 

If it is placed in the fourth house of mother, emotions, mental refinement then one has to learn to master these traits, without getting swayed by them. Ramakrishna Paramahansa was attached to the mother aspect of divinity, Kali which represents the fierce and terrible facet of devi. His whole life was a saga of directing his emotions and mind towards mother Kali and achieving oneness with that facet. When Rahu is in fourth house,  the individual will enjoy all the comforts and will not discriminate any right or wrong and accepts all the aspects of life without any duality.

 Rahu was placed in the fifth house of intelligence and creativity for the great inventor and scientist Thomas Elva Edison. As Rahu also signifies electricity, he pioneered in the invention of the modern electronic gadgets.

 In fact, the age 42 to 48 is particularly important when Rahu ascertains whether one is fulfilling the purpose of the present life or not. If not, then Rahu generally turns the individual to his or her purpose of the present life. This period is generally reported by many as a period of upheavals and transition. The transition is particularly intense in individuals who have strayed far away from their goal in the present life.

Rahu is a planet of suddenness and intuition. As mentioned earlier, it governs dreams. August Kekule the famous chemist discovered the structure of Benzene as a ring after a dream where he vividly saw the molecules in the form a snake trying to form a circle. Albert Einstein, dreamt that he is traveling at a speed of light and visualized the theory of relativity practically. Rahu for Einstein was placed in the deep subconscious and esoteric eight house. He was believed to have understood the concepts intuitively which he later tried to explain with logical deductions. These two discoveries changed the way we look at science suggesting the presence of Rahu as a trendsetter.

Rahu symbolizes the serpent power of kundalini which gives it the snake imagery. Rahu deals with awakening of kundalini and the challenges which a sadhaka faces in the journey from dust to divinity. It can be compared to the temptress mara which was encountered by Lord Buddha before attaining enlightenment or the satan(the dark night of the soul) which was encountered by Jesus before his attaining the final beatitude.

Rahu generally gives ailments like mental disorders and skin diseases and causes misunderstandings among relationships. It is the cause of pestilence like plague and cholera. It gives morbid fears of the unknown and all types of addictions. It represents the dark underbelly of human psyche which is the genesis of all types of crime. But working at a higher level it opens the floodgates of human mind to the beauties of the soul in the meditations of an ascetic.

Rahu’s functioning is that of indulgence where shows it the futility of indulgence after the individual goes through the process. It happens  in a sudden manner.

 The best way to escape from its clutches is to keep a ceiling on desires as put very aptly by Swami. Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva are worshipped to mitigate the evil effects of the planet Rahu. May Rahu bless us to be out of its clutches of maya and get wisdom.

I Want More....

By Balraj Sardana

(Mr. Sardana is a retired Head of Expert Group for Design from Tata Steel, Jamshedpur. He has a passion for evolving holistic solutions which consider the implications on all stakeholders. A voracious reader, he is an active propagator of practical knowledge, be it health or anything else. He goes the extra mile to ensure that the benefits of any good product reach all those he knows. His eye for detail also makes him a very good photographer. His enthusiasm to learn more and his zest for seva is humbling.)

All of us, including all the species have a ‘mathematical equation’ with Mother Earth. We take something from the Mother and return something back to her...

The animals and birds also do the same. About cows all of us have written school essays - how much she returns to society...

What about birds? They take so little from the Mother Earth and their very existence adds tremendous beauty to Nature. They contribute to the seeding process and growth of vegetation and forestation. Think of the migratory birds, who are so much welcome and don’t even require a visa for their entry! 

But how is that I am not allowed a free entry to another country without a passport and visa.

Because I am not trusted, but birds are. I can exploit others, but birds cannot. I would like to draw maximum from the Mother and return little, so that I retain maximum for my own use.  Animals, birds and other species thus have a net positive balance with the Mother Earth and I end up with a net negative balance.

Because humans wants more and more, we alone have become ‘unwanted’ and animals, birds and all other species are ‘wanted.’

But at the same time the human birth is considered most precious gift of God. Does man realise it...

Gandhi said that ‘every man is born with one mouth and two hands to serve; and return to society much more...’ We are aware that some people are presented with a ‘key to the city’, to welcome them as their most honourable guests. Who are those people? They are the ones who have given so much to the society and in return have demanded nothing. They are not only welcome everywhere, but history remembers them as great souls.

Every religion teaches some fundamental ways of earning our livelihood. They tell us the value of a hard earned income. When a son embarked upon a business, his wise mother advised him to make sure that hrie earns every rupee by honest means. If it is otherwise, that money could bring disease, loss of property and disharmony in the family. That was generations back...

Despite all this, the moot point is - who stops us from following the righteous path?

Only human beings have been blessed with intellect and discretion. If there is pleasure in extracting more from the society; there is equally the highest experience of happiness and even Bliss in giving and sharing. This experience of happiness can be more lasting...

Bhoomi Pooja

By Darshan Patel

(Darshan is a 17 year old pursuing his Diploma in Pharmacy in London. He is a very witty teenager and an excellent guitarist. His deep voice resonates when he sings bhajans. His attitude towards seva and the ability to adjust and adapt are commendable at his age. )

My humble pranams at the lotus feet of our beloved Bhagwan.

After April, I was beginning to crave for the darshan of His Samadhi. After seven long months, I could not wait any longer and so I decided to pack my bags and head to India. Since I was landing in Bangalore, Kalpana Aunty introduced me to Brother Vinod and his family. They have started a trust and were holding a Bhoomi Pooja for the children’s home- Sai Krushna Mandir.  I wanted to spend most of my time over the next three weeks doing seva. So I decided to stay with them for a week and be a part of the activities planned. It was a first time for me and I was looking forward to the event. On the 23^rd of November the Bhoomi Pooja was held. After arriving early the morning of the 22^nd, even I couldn’t resist waking up early as there was excitement in the air. After finally arriving at the village school near the site for the children’s home, the fun began. Swami’s chair stood there wonderfully decorated and the children’s excitement could be felt. Whilst waiting for the pooja to begin we began chanting the Sai Gayatri. All the children joined in too. A bit rusty at start but after a while we all were in harmony. Then we began bhajans which the children seemed to love and the energy and levels of participation which they put in were inspirational.

The Pooja commenced. This was a completely new experience to me as in England things are done differently. All though I knew that it was a pooja in which you worship the ground, I didn’t really understand what was going on as most of the prayers were in Sanskrit and instructions in Tamil. However, I did manage to learn my first proper Tamil words… ‘Neengal Vaango’ or “Please come here”. Getting these two words right itself gave me a taste of this tongue twister of a language. I’m sure I’ll always remember these two words. But jokes aside, the vibrations of the prayers and chanting did come across to me. They then dug a hole in the north east corner of land where we went and worshiped the tile  on which Swami’s has walked in Prashanthi. This included washing it with milk and water and offering flowers. The stone will then be placed in the foundation of the orphanage when the construction starts. The whole day was lovely and I think we all felt Swami’s presence there in one way or another.

The following Sunday, the celebrations continued in the form of a grand school exhibition put up by the students of the Village School. We started with Nagarsankeertan and rudram chanting. The donors of the land and the teachers were felicitated. What struck me most was the children and their appreciation for what they had. When the teachers were honoured with Amruthakalashas (monthly provisions and blanket), the students were the ones who expressed their gratitude with loud cheering and applause. The programme concluded with Mangala Arathi and Narayan Seva. From what I have seen and experienced I am confident that Sai Krushna Mandir – the children’s home - will be a great success. The environment will be encouraging for the children in the orphanage and it will be one big united family. I have felt this in the past week by staying as one with the SKM family. And, if anything, I know that the children will be happy and grateful to Swami for what they shall receive.

Living Spirituality

By Radhakrishnan Nair

(Mr Radhakrishna Nair is the Vice President – Talent Acquisition, Group Human Resources of TATA Group. He is a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from XLRI, Jamshedpur (PGDPM&IR). His interests are genuine Development of Human Resources which is not limited to the Corporate World. He enjoys mentoring and coaching sessions and says these sessions leave him feeling enriched. In spite of his vast attainments and senior position in the TATA group, he is very unassuming and approachable to all. His enthusiasm and down to earth attitude are worthy of emulation for all aspiring CXO’s.)

When I was a child I used to watch my mother wake up very early in the morning and start the day with prayers. My father, in his own way, was also a very pious person. Since I was the youngest of the 3 boys in the family, I was the luckiest to learn from my parents the maximum. We were a very simple family with little or no capability to spend money on even small luxuries. I was fortunate to start experiencing God’s hand so early without anyone being connected with Bhagawan, which I realize today, was Swami’s first miracle in my life. Swami had entered our lives in anonymity. Baba has always told us, not to consider HIM as limited to HIS form. This lesson was taught in an experiential manner. No books were read, no discourses were heard, but the lesson of Omnipresence, Omniscience and Omnipotence was taught. The beauty of these lessons is that the stories that you read and the fairy tales that you hear lead to faith and in turn with faith these become real.

GOD becomes a part of daily life if we are lucky to be born in a pious, God Loving family. As we will realize that the theory of Karma plays a big role in where we are born and how we are nurtured. For a person born and bred in Godly environment, she/he is able to see the Grace of God early and unless we consciously give up this advantage, GOD holds on to us tightly. The analogy is with the mother cat that carries her little ones in her vice like grip.

Now to come back from the philosophical digression, couple of good things happened in the childhood, which continue to happen even now. I was born and brought in a very pure environment. Second, as a child, I was not seen as academically bright, third, we were in a middle class situation. Then there were many twists and turns in life, starting with my mother having to leave me in the care of loving neighbours as she had to go home to take care of her mother, my grandmother. This phase could have led to a major disaster since I was not interested in studies and was quite happy hanging around with friends. In retrospect, like on many other occasions, I see the Divine Hand ensuring that I do not get tempted to do irreversible harm to myself during this phase. It does not mean I was blemish less, it only means that HE carried me around and overcame the temptations for me.

HIS next big miracle was giving this boy, who came from a family that struggled, at times, to make both ends meet, admission to one of the most prestigious and possibly expensive school in Delhi. I have stopped trying to figure out how my father managed my fees. I can only say that Swami made him succeed in keeping me in that school. While I missed my parents, my Divine mother protected me from my own self that was forever complaining. HE even made me a big success in sports and in dramatics, while I continued my academic struggle. Like in the bhagavatham, one reads stories within stories, in my life I can see experiences within experiences.

School days were over and the college days brought in a new dimension. Swami entered my life through my Aunt. During this phase, I read books which strengthened my faith in miracles and I started experiencing these miracles with some more awareness. However college life brought with it the usual temptations and I did display my weakness in falling into the traps off and on. However, again looking at where I could have gone on this I can experience Swami’s presence. One of the early learning from reading Sai literature was that I must not crave for things and I should learn to be happy with what I have been blessed with. So when Swami gave me a job I was thrilled in just doing the work, the remuneration became irrelevant although, technically I should have become depressed on account of low compensation. Readers must remember that during all this period, my connection with Swami was limited to reading something once in a while, but HIS connect with me was like the mothers connect with her child.  

Then the miracle that took my life to a different trajectory happened. HE decided to send me to one of the best Business Schools in the country. A young man, not ambitious for such things literarily gets pushed into a future that makes all past associates wonder. The interesting aspect is that in this journey HE makes me experience many a failures. The failures were part of the route. Today I realize how important those failures were.

In 1984 after I finished the MBA program, a group of us friends went on a holiday to Kodaikanal. By this time I had started experiencing HIS miracles with some awareness. On one of the days in Kodai, I went around the lake in rain singing bhajans, not knowing where Sai Shruti was. This was HIS way of blessing this ignoramus. The next 27 years of work life have also been experiences which make me see HIS Divine Presence in every event. Maybe another time I could write about that. 

I can go on and on sharing my life’s miracles and maybe cause the readers discomfort. The realization as it dawns on me may dawn on many of you. The realization that our Lives are HIS Divine Miracles. That is how OUR LIVES BECOME HIS MESSAGES,  Knowing fully that HE is NOW HERE. With each one of us let us all go forth and live the rest of our lives in HIS DIVINE Presence.  

There is no aspect of our daily life that is bereft of spirituality. From the moment we wake up till the moment we lose consciousness to sleep we are bombarded with choices. Do we wish to live as per HIS Divine Message and experience the challenge of such living, or do we want to live our mundane lives in an animal like manner. Even as this document is getting typed, I am experiencing HIM typing this using me as HIS tool. Thus I feel blessed.