Sunday 1 January 2012

Unity and Divinity in the New Year


An extract from a divine discourse by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on January 1, 2000.


Embodiments of Love!
God is the basis of everything. He is omnipotent, omniscient and pervades all creation.

Just as without cotton, there can be no cloth, similarly, there can be no world without God. Do not mistake this deha (transient body) as real. It is the dehi (indwelling divinity) that is the true reality. This divinity is beyond birth and death; the one without any beginning, middle or end. This birthless, deathless God is the eternal witness of the entire cosmos. Recognise
this truth.

Recognize That Human Birth Is A Rare Occurrence

You are celebrating this day as the beginning of the New Year. Do not consider that the New year is related only to the Christians. Do not have any such narrow distinctions. Humanity in the whole world is one. All men of all countries belong to one race, the race of humanity. Keep this truth firmly in your heart. You must recognize that human birth is a rare occurrence. Consider time as highly valuable. The heart must be soft and the mind must be sweet. Human mind, which is supposed to be sweet, has become highly poisonous today, because man is allowing it to indulge in sensual pleasures, which are like deadly poison. Do not poison your nectarous mind by associating it with the objects of your senses. By doing so, you are making your soft heart also hard like stone. Do not waste time. Time is the very form of God.

Hence, it is said in the Vedas:

 Kalaya Namah, Kala Kalaya Namah, Kala Darpa Damanaya Namah, Kalatheetaya Namah.

 God is the master of time. He transcends time. Therefore, have firm faith in God and not in your body. The body is impermanent. It grows and declines with the passage of time.

Embodiments of Love!
You are considering this day as very sacred.  “Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati” (as you think so you
become). In any event, the year is not bad in any sense. It will promote very high ideals and propagate divine principles. It will foster the principle of unity. In a very short time, all the people of the world are going to be united. Today you consider America, Russia, Japan, China, Pakistan, and India as separate from each other. Very soon there will be unity amongst all these countries. Even those whom you consider as your worst enemies are going to become your best friends.

You should not hate anybody. You are all brothers and sisters. In a short time, you are all going to witness the “Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God.” With a pure heart, all of you should pray for this to happen at the earliest.

There are many people in the world in great distress. The people who have been recently hijacked were under a severe strain. Prayer is the only remedy for the alleviation of such misery. There is nothing in the world that cannot be achieved by prayer. Prayer melts the hardest hearts. Pray wholeheartedly, “Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu” (May the whole world be happy). Do not pray only for the welfare of your family, friends and relatives. Such narrow- minded prayers are futile. Your prayers should be for the welfare of all people in all the countries of the world.

Start A New Life With Ideals Of Service And Love

Embodiments of Love!
The one principle that you have to uphold and develop is that of love. When love dominates, there is no room for hatred. If there was no feeling of love earlier, at least sow the seeds of love now.

You must sow the seed of love in loveless hearts. Water it with love. Let love flow in a flood and reach all. You should cultivate this pure, steady, unselfish love in this New Year. Modern man directs his love towards wordly objects and gets entangled in several complications. “Love lives by giving and forgiving, self lives by getting and forgetting.” Selfish love is like the foul smell of fish. Cultivate selfless love. Love all. Let others feel and think as they like. Do not bother about that. There is no need to fear anyone. Make your love pure. Then the whole world will become pure.

Meet All Contingencies With Love

Many people are worrying and speculating as to how the year will unfold. There will be no formidable difficulties. In this world all things, good and bad, come and go. World devoid of happiness and misery cannot exist. Nothing is bad for the world. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. How can you feel pleasure if you have never felt pain? These come and go like passing clouds. One should neither dread one nor crave for the other. Meet all contingencies with love. Transform everything into love and suffuse your lives with love. Then there shall be peace and stability in the world. Why do you repeat the word “santhi” (peace) thrice? You pray that you may have peace at all the three levels—physical, mental and spiritual—for you are not one individual, but three—the one you think you are (physical body), the one others think you are (mental body) and the one you really are (atma). All three aspects of your being must be in a state of peace. This can be achieved only through love. Swami Himself is the proof of this. Infinite love is Swami’s only wealth. Who sent out invitations to this large congregation? Your love toward Swami and Swami’s love towards all of you has attracted all of you here.

Hence, convince yourself that everything can be achieved with love. The evil traits of hatred, jealousy and pride should be cast aside. These are not human qualities, but animal traits. You are a human being. Love is the chief quality of man, truth is his basis and righteousness is his very life. The combination of all these ensures peace. If you possess all these, peace is your property by right. Give up selfishness and work for the unity of your country. Pray for the welfare of all and lead an ideal life. Human life is not gifted to you to hanker after worldly objects. You have to set an ideal to the world. What is the ideal that you have to set? You must help all to your utmost capacity.

The best way to love God is to love all and serve all.

Adopting service and love as your ideals, you must start a new life from this moment—this is My blessing and benediction to you.



ATMAJYOTHI – The Eternal Light of SatChitAnanda


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 deep sleep. The absence of anything in deep sleep does not mean ‘nothingness’; even to know this nothingness- there must be a Knower which is the Atman, our true Self. What then is the Self or Brahman and how do we experience it? We carry forward this discussion to understand this).

THE SELF IS THE FOURTH-ONE
TUREEYAM


25.Q:Then, the  deep-sleep  is  not  a  state,  isn’t  it?
A: Yes. Therefore, the  dream  in  sleep  and  wakefulness  after  sleep  are  not  states.

Q: What  is  the  opinion  of  your  statement  that  by  the  deliberation  upon  the  three  states  the  Self  can  be  experienced  by  separating  it  from  the  mind? When  the  states  themselves  don’t  exist, where  is  the  deliberation  upon  them? 
A: People believe that they obtain wakeful, dream and deep-sleep states, always. They  also  believe  that  the  mind  itself  is  of  the  form  of  awareness  and  the  Self  doesn’t  exist  apart  from  the  mind. If  we  deliberate  upon  the  three  states  believed  by  them, we  can  decide  the    Real  Form  of  the  Self. And we understand  that  really  the  states  don’t  exist. This itself is the opinion of our statements.  



Q: Then, in  the  verse, it  is  stated  that  the  Self  is  the  Fourth  One ( Tureeyam ) ! When  the  three  states  don’t  exist, how  does  the  Self  become  the  fourth  one?
A: People have super-imposed the states on the Self. The  self  is  the  fourth  one  means  that  He  is  different  from  the  three  super-imposed  states  and  not  that  he  is  really  the  fourth  one.  Really  speaking, when  the  wakeful  ,  the  dream  and  the  deep-sleep  appear  to  exist, this  Self  of  the  fourth  nature  alone  exists. There  is  no  time  when  this  nature  of  the  Self  doesn’t  exist  and  it  exists  even  in  the  absence  of  time. Therefore, the Fourth One’s Nature is not a time-bound state.  A state is a time-bound change.

THE SELF IS OBTAINED BY THE SUPREME SWANS
(PARAMA-HAMSA GATIM)

26.Q: As  you  have  told  that  if  the  Fourth  State  of  the  Self  exists  always, why  don’t  we  know  this  easily?
A: Normally, the nature of the mind is to imagine non-existing things. And, the mind is egoistically attached to those imagined things. Therefore, leaving  all  these  imaginations  and  selecting  the  Real  Principle  of  the  Self  is  not  possible  for  many  people. Only  the  Supreme  Swans  who  are  free  from  worldly  affections  or  passions  select  the  Self  successfully.

Q: Who are the   Supreme Swans?
A: In  the  Indian  poetical  compositions  a  bird  by  name  Raaja  Hamsa  has  become  famous. If  the  mixture  of  milk  and  water  is  kept  before  the  bird, this  bird  has  the  capacity  ( ability )  to separate  water  from  the  mixture  and  to  taste  only  the  milk. Similarly, the  eminent  personages  who  are  free  from  passions  acquire  spiritual  materials  and  means  like:  appeasing  the  mind  
( Shama ), self-restraint ( Dama ), etc. they  have  the  ability  to  establish  themselves  in  the  Form  of  Existence-Awareness-Bliss. Such eminent personages are called the Parama Hamsas, the Supreme-Swans

Q: What is Virakti, the indifference?
A: Rakti means worldly affections or passions. It  is  a  pride  to  have  a  strong  feeling  of  love, hate, anger, etc. in  the  mind. Virakti means absence of affections or passions. Those  who  are indifferent  towards  the  non-self-objects, they  accept  Sanyaasa, the  ascetism, the  famous  order  called  of  the  Supreme  Swans. These ascetics deliberate upon the thoughts of the Vedaanta.

Q: Then, the  Vedaanta  cannot  be  understood  by  the  common  people  like  us  who  are  not  ascetics, isn’t  it?
A: It is not that. Our  opinion  is  that  those  who  have  special  attachment  towards  the  non-self-objects, the  Spiritual  Science  is  difficult  to  comprehend  for  them. The  renunciation  is  the  symbol  of  giving-up  of  the  egoistic  attachment.   

I  AM BRAHMAN; AND NOT THE GROUP OF FIVE-ELIMENTS
TAD-BRAHMA NISHKALAM-AHAM NA CHA BHOOTA-SANGHAH

27. Q: Well. How  is  the  experience  of  those  who  have  renounced  the  egoistic  attachment  and  completely  understand  the  principle  of  the  Self?
A: They know, “I’ m that limbless Brahman “


Q: What is Brahman?
A: The Brahman is described in the Upanishads. The word ‘Brahma ‘means big. The  Brahman  is  always  of  the  form  of  Purity  and  that  of  Awareness. It is always free from all bindings. It always remains the in the same Form (Nitya-Shuddha-Buddha-Mukta). Therefore, the Brahman is the Supreme One. The Self-Principle known by the wise ones is this Brahman.

Q: What do ignorants know?
A: We have already told this. The ignorant identify themselves with body, organs of sense, mind, etc.  and  these  are  composed  by  the  elements  like: earth, water, fire, air  and  sky. They  also  believe  that  they  get  always  wakefulness, dream  and  deep-sleep  states. 

Q: What are the features of the elements?
A: Organs  of  perception  are  situated  at  the  spots  like: ear, skin, eye, tongue  and  nose . By  their  touch  in  the  world  five  objects  of  sense  like: sound, touch, form, taste  and  smell – appear. These  objects  of  sense  take  shelter  in  the  five  elements  like: sky, air, fire, water  and  earth- respectively. Body, organs of sense, mind, etc.  All of these are composed of five elements.

Q: Do these five elements and the Self have any relation?
A: We  have  already  mentioned  that  there  is  not  even  an  iota  of  relation  between  them. Not  even  an  element  exists  in  the  deep-sleep  anywhere; and  in  any  one  of  the  states, other  two  states  never  exist  anywhere. Therefore, the  Self  doesn’t  have  any  relation  with  respect  to  either  five  elements  or  that  of  states.  

A  MEANS TO THE WISDOM

  Q: Those  who  aspire  for  the  wisdom,  what  type  of  means  should  they  practice?
A: In  the  morning  as  they  get  up, they  should  give  up  the  bad  practice  of  thinking  that  they  are  body, organs  of  sense  and  mind – that  are  composed  of  the  elements; and  they  should  stop  worrying  about  to  those  non-self-objects. And  they  should  think  the  great  Principle: “ I  am  the  Supreme  Brahman  of  the  Form  of  Existence-Awareness-Bliss. “  Those who practice this constantly are the seekers of Liberation.  They  have  strong  desire  of  liberating  themselves  from  the  false- bondage  that  they  are  the  group  of  elements. This false-bondage should be removed through the Wisdom 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.



(To be continued in the next edition)



Astrology and Spirituality- Demystifying Saturn


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)

It was a long dark night. The silhouette of a man was visible in the faint glow of the funeral pyres in the cremation ground. The man was tall, had a staff and his emaciated frame was clad with a coarse linen raiment which was dark in colour like the night. His hair was rough and disheveled, eyes sunken, with prominent cheek bones, perhaps due to lack of proper food. He had a thick stubble, chapped lips, and a fixed downward gaze looking at the burning pyres. He looked like a statue of sorrow but his eyes had a mysterious radiance, sharp and unwavering like that of a sage performing austerity. His concentration was broken by the wails of a woman in tattered clothes carrying the body of his son to this cremation ground, to conduct the boy’s last rites. This man, who was keeping a vigil in the cremation ground, stopped and asked for tax with a stoic countenance and didn’t allow the last rites to be conducted till he received the tax. This watchman was none other than Emperor Harishchandra who went through untold hardships to uphold truth and dharma. He even sold his wife Chandramati and bore the pangs of separation from his son Rohitaswa. This episode gave him the epithet Satyvadi- the truthful and his fame has been etched in gold in the annals of history teaching all mankind how to tread the path of truth. This symbolism summarizes the functioning of shani or Saturn.
Shani is referred to as the celestial taskmaster, for he teaches us the lessons of life the hard way. It is under its effects that we gain wisdom of experience. Shani induces truthfulness, detachment, responsibility, ethics of hard work and discipline into every individual. Shani gives the power to endure, and provides the tenacity and perseverance to realize our potentials. Don’t you think it is the same that we learn from our father at home and in schools from our teachers?
Shani is the farthest among all the planets moving slowly, taking 30 years to complete one cycle around the sun, hence, taking two and half years in each of the twelve rashis. As it is the farthest, receiving less sunlight, it is depicted as black in colour. This makes Saturn impart a black colour to anything it lords over. Shani is worshipped with gingelly oil seeds or gingelly oil which is again black in colour. Also as the outermost planet it is the last one, figuratively, that one has to cross for liberation.
 It is the slowest moving of all the planets, which is reflected in its nature of delaying things and its characterstic of teaching the virtues of patience, perseverance and endurance. It delays rewards until it is earned, so that the individual acquires the deservedness to receive it. Gold is put through a rigorous process of melting, beating and polishing transforming it into a beautiful ornament; in the same way Saturn makes a man go through trials and tribulations in his life sojourn and makes him a complete personality.
A strong Saturn in an individual’s horoscope makes him/her lean, dark and tall. It gives rough and coarse hair with a tendency of early greying or baldness. People with strong Shani are slow learners, good planners and rise slowly on the corporate ladder.
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding Saturn’s Sadhey Satee, and its period in one’s life. As explained earlier, Saturn takes thirty years to complete one revolution around the Sun, hence taking two and half years to traverse each zodiac sign. The sign where the moon is placed for an individual in a birth chart is considered as the moon sign (Chandra rashi). When Saturn moves the signs previous to the moon sign, the moon sign and the sign following the moon sign, it is called Sadhey satee i.e. 7 ½ years(2 ½ *3). According to me, it is a time of introspection and self enquiry to find answers to the fundamental questions of life. This approach is very helpful during this period as Shani is the only planet which is considered as a yogi. It is portrayed as having a downward gaze teaching us the lesson of humility. Saturn becomes a tormenter of people who are arrogant and egotistical. It teaches such people the lesson of non-doership the hard way and helps them to understand that everything happens by the will of god.
It can be harsh. It can make you overtly ambitious, selfish, solitary, unhappy. But it is again for the good, as one learns from bad phases of life. Shani is the benefactor Yogi turning people towards the spiritual path.
Many pandits and astrologers have mushroomed claiming that they can give readymade remedy to mitigate the ill effects of Saturn. However, the best way to please Saturn is to respect elders as Saturn is depicted as an old man with lot of wisdom. Saturn is also appeased by serving the poor and the needy.
Many astrologers are considering November 15th 2011 as a very important date as Shani transits into the sign of Libra(the scales), where it is very powerful. Libra stands for justice, harmony and balance. Entry of Saturn into Libra will usher in an era of less corruption, more upright and strong judiciary and resistance to greed and despotism. Anna Hazare’s current movement against corruption, rising in wall street against corporate greed and uprising in the Arabian world are examples of this transit. These movements started taking shape roughly six months before this transit which happens generally because Saturn shows its effects six months before its actual transit.
In Shani’s own words regarding the role carved out for him by the Almighty: 
“Look, I get all the hot headed and egoistic people in my classroom. And I can't kick them out of class for misbehaving. I start out by politely asking them to behave. If that doesn't work, I am forced to raise my voice to them and if they don’t listen then I’m forced to use sterner means. I am, after all, a Teacher. I want you all to succeed in your spiritual evolution. But, you all must learn that slow and steady wins the race. Practice makes man perfect. What I do not like is complete self-indulgence and impetuosity. Nothing worthwhile in life comes without my blessings and energy.”
So, don’t fear Shani but learn from Shani to be humble and truthful and to realize your true potential.

The Healing Power of Music

By Prakash Srinivasan
(Prakash is a student of Swami who did his B.Com(Hons) in Brindavan campus and then his MBA and PG Diploma in Indian Culture and Philosophy in Prashanthi Nilayam. During his student days, Prakash had the good fortune of being a Mandir bhajan singer and has enjoyed singing for our Lord many times. A passionate lover of music, food and nature- Prakash is currently heading the European system operations for Hewlett Packard(HP) from the Bangalore office. His enthusiasm, humour and cheerfulness are contagious and he is popularly known as “Ha ha hoo hoo”, for his boisterous laughter. In this article, Prakash shares his insights on classical music and how Raagas have a deep interconnection with our daily life).
It is a proven fact that music indeed is one of the most effective therapies. It is a unique therapy for which we do not need complex tools or equipment. It is as simple as just putting a earphone in our ears and enjoying the music. Musicians like Shri Kunnakudy Vaidyanathan, (who was heading the Raaga Research Centre in Madras until his demise) have confirmed that music does have the capacity to heal us physically and mentally. He and his late father (who was one of the pioneers of raaga research) have researched and confirmed that music/raagas have the power to cure us of many ailments!

This is certainly good news to all music lovers. I personally believe in this completely and I have experienced the therapeutic effects of music innumerable times. Listening to melodious music automatically calms our mind and each raaga is said to have a unique medicinal property. The study in this field has been quite extensive leading to some pleasantly stunning results. The unique properties of a few raagas are listed below.

Keeravani- Good for heart

Rathipathipriya- Strength and vigour, remove ill-will

Shanmukhapriya- Sharpens intellect and instills courage

Kalyani- Destroys fear

Karaharapriya- Remedy for worry, stress and neurotic disorders

Abheri- Heals the mind

Shankarabharanam- Cures mental disorders, showers wealth!

Charukesi- Rejenuvates mind

Mohanam-Filters ill-effects of our bad qualities like anger, lust and attachment

Mayamalavagowla- Counters pollution

Anandabhairavi-Lowers blood pressure

For those who have faith, music is the best medicine. Music is a gift from God itself which can give us a lot of bliss and satisfaction. Let us use it as a medium to promote Love, Peace and Harmony and make our humble contribution for Samastha Loka Sukham.

Rendezvous With The Divine


By Mangala Shankar
Mangala Shankar has completed her Masters in Chemistry from the Madras University in 1997 and moved to United States since 1998. She has worked in an International Organization in Quality Control for several years. Mangala Shankar has keen interest in Music and Vedam and she plays veena.  She is also a lead Bhajan singer and teaches kids with bhajans and is also an SSE Teacher.


My first darshan of Swami
This incident proves how Swami‘s omniscience and how He selects His future devotees. In May 1989, when I was in 14 years old, to spend our summer holiday we had been to Kodaikanal for a very short vacation along with my parents and my younger brother. During the course of our visit we stayed at Kodai International Hotel. We went for sight seeing the following morning. When we passed through the lake, the boatman suggested that we can have Dharshan of Swami who is visiting Kodaikanal. We thought it was good idea and then entered Sai Sruthi which is Swami’s abode at Kodai. Huge gathering of about 7000 people were then seated at Sai Sruthi to have dharshan of Swami. I was one among the audience in the crowd. I waited with much anticipation for first time, to have first glimpse of Swami. Then Swami while giving dharshan walked through the audience in the line and then Swami came near me and my mom. He was throwing chocolates all around us. In my mind, I was thinking that I should be getting the chocolate. But the chocolate fell down on the lady next to me. I felt disappointed as I did not get one. However to my surprise, the lady prompted by Swami’s will, offered her chocolate. She did not even have a bite and gave the whole chocolate to me and asked me to share with my family. This was very special incident in my life. I was blessed to receive prasadam from Divine Hands from the first visit and first darshan of Swami and Swami reading my mind. At that time I was not a Swami’s Devotee and Swami was preparing me for coming into His Fold. After 8 years of this incident, I was chosen to marry Swami’s student by Swami Himself. Swami created Vibuthi and showered His Grace and blessed my marriage. It completely transformed me to be His ardent Devotee.
 Always Being Aware of Swami’s Omniscience
Swami’s presence is not to be felt only at Parthi. I found how Swami acts remotely to show his presence. Once on our way to vacation in Durango, Colorado, we stopped at a restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, US. To our surprise, we saw Swami's picture on the wall and we felt Swami welcoming us in an unknown place it was as if He was saying, “I am here.”  We later found out that the owners were great devotees. Then we proceeded to Durango without giving much thought to Swami’s picture.
After local sight-seeing at Durango, we took a rental car and drove to Mesa Verdi, a famous archeological site. It was very scenic, high in the mountains, and a difficult terrain. We got our admission tickets and off we drove to the first site. We parked the car and my husband tried to remove the keys from the car. The ignition would not turn off. We were so tense because there were no mechanic or car shops for the next thirty miles, and we had to drive down the mountain. The panic showed on our faces.  When we sought help from the tourists, they tried in vain to help, and told us to call the rental car company.  However, there was no phone service in the mountains. We then sought help from a nearby State trooper.  He was also not able to help, but seeing that our car could move, he recommended us to drive slowly down the mountain and then seek help. With Swami’s name on our lips, we drove all the way down the mountain and then went to the rental company, but they refused to take the car because it was rented in the main airport. Finally, one tech-support person told us to drive to the hotel where he instructed us on how to remove a computer chip to turn off the car.  The car-rental company sent a replacement car from Denver the next morning.
Lesson Learnt
Well the lesson here was Swami’s word that He will take care of his devotees and will show us the path once we trust and have faith in Him. Now we remembered the picture of Swami welcoming us in that restaurant and realized that it was He who guided and protected us all the way through this ordeal and just saved our lives from the impending disaster. Swami protects us and guides us all through our life in each and every incident.

Sai- The Divine Sculptor

Talk by Satyajit Salian
(With brother Satyajit’s permission, we are happy to share excerpts from his recent inspiring Christmas talk in Sai Darshan, Bangalore. Satyajit graduated from the Brindavan campus of the Sri Sathya Sai University with a B.Sc. in Chemistry and went on to do his M.Sc. Chemistry and MBA from the Prashanthi Nilayam campus. He has had the unique good fortune of living with and directly serving Swami for more than a decade. Currently, he leads the Vidya Vaahini project in addition to fulfilling his role at the Sri Sathya Sai Central trust. Besides his proximity to our Lord, what endears him to everyone is his unassuming humility and simplicity. As an elder brother, he has always been approachable to the students and continues to inspire by his sense of dedication to Swami’s work. In this article, he shares his experiences on how Swami sculpted his life through His Divine love, and how Swami continues to guide all of us.)

“Dear Brothers and sisters this is a very emotional moment for me to stand here today as memories flood in of me coming to this holy temple with Swami. I remember my place was fixed by the stairs leading up to the stage– I also got an opportunity to go to Swami’s dining room here on the first floor where Swami has eaten so many lunches cooked by these loving Mothers.

Today the topic I have chosen is Sai- the Divine Sculptor – the reason being that I was always intrigued by the sculpture of Rodin – ‘The Thinker’. I used to wonder, what he would be thinking about? Perhaps he is thinking about his creator? Similarly I too am thinking about my sculptor who chose me - this rock- to make a sculpture out of me. I was just a rock that Swami picked. My journey started in the year 1991. I was a Mumbai boy, a typical city boy of that age – I was on my fourth day of B.Sc. Chemistry in the Sri Sathya Sai University in the Brindavan campus. During breakfast I whispered to my friend Sai Krishna, “ What is this? We get only 4 idlis here – at home I used to eat 10 idlis!” After breakfast, we were sitting for darshan and I was on the 3rd or 4th row Swami walked straight upto me, looked at me and said something which I could not follow, I went near and Swami repeated it and everybody behind me replied, “IDLI!!” in a chorus. I was shocked I thought Swami was asking what I had eaten for breakfast so I also said, ‘Idli Swami!’ Swami said, “Kitna idli ?” I was shocked. Sai Krishna and I looked at each other in horror – Swami said, “Dus idli kha sakta hai ?” (You want to eat 10 idlis?) . I tried to be as diplomatic as ever and said: “No Swami idlis are very big idlis – nice idlis!” I was fumbling with words, trying to be my diplomatic best. After this interaction, Swami did not speak to me for the next 5 years – my sculptor had marked this rock.

Then after 5 years, Swami came and spoke to me – I was sitting on the Ganesh Portico as it was called then – it is now the place where the Samadhi is. Swami walked directly to me amidst bhajans and over the melody of the bhajans said very loudly in my left ear, “COME WITH ME TO KODAIKANAL!” I was taken aback and my left ear drum almost burst out – I could not believe myself and I accompanied Him to Kodai.

One day, I was walking behind Swami to the dining room in Trayee Brindavan. One big carton box was there. Swami told me to check what was in it. I opened one flap of it and saw that there were some pickle bottles there. I said, “Swami pickles.” Swami said, “Be careful – your shirt will become red”. I opened one bottle and closed it thinking, see I can handle these – I am quite careful and efficient as well. We went inside the dining room and on our way back Swami again pointed the box and asked what was there inside the box. I again said, “Pickles swami.” Swami told me to check so I opened the other flap and I saw that there were some tomato sauce bottles also on the other side of the box. I can never forget those plastic red bottles with white caps. Swami asked what it was, I said, “This is tomato sauce swami.” Swami asked, “What?” as if He didn’t know what tomato sauce was. So I explained to Him that tomato sauce means, “Tomato chutney Swami.” And I opened the cap to show it to swami. No sooner I opened the cap I was shocked because I have seen only Thumbs-Up and Coca Cola fizz out like that. I had no idea that sauce could fizz like that and mess my whole white shirt. Soon my whole shirt was red and covered with sauce. I turned and saw that Swami was blissfully laughing and saying, “I told you that your shirt will become red, so I told you to be careful. I didn’t say that it would be pickle or sauce – see it is all red now!”

Another day, Swami told me to sit in the car with Him. We were going for a drive near the Brindavan campus. I ran and jumped into the car and I sat next to Swami in the back seat. On the way Swami asked in Hindi, “Swami se kya dekh sakta hai?” (What do you want to see from Swami?) I said, “I want only Swami.” Swami said, “Krishna maangta hai, Rama Maangta hai kya maangta hai?”( You want to see Rama, Krishna – what do you want from swami?). I said, “I want only Swami”. He then asked, “Narasimha dekhne ko maangta hai?” (Do you want to see the Narasimha avatar). I quickly said, “No Swami!” Swami kept on pestering. Then I decided to say something non controversial and said, “Vishwaroopa darshan Swami.” (I want to see your Vishwaroopa Darshan). I was thinking at that moment what could have Krishna shown to Arjuna that transformed him or did Krishna transform Arjuna’s vision that he started seeing the same things differently – all those thoughts were going on then in the mind of the 22 year old boy who knew nothing other than chemistry. Swami kept His hand out from the window, his palm was towards the sky and He said, “Roz dekhta hai – phir bhi poochta hai” ( he sees everyday but still he is asking). Last 15 years I have been looking at the sky and trying to understand what Swami was trying to show that day. Then we returned back to Brindavan. There was a small bridge in the campus and Ratan Lal aunty was standing there. Swami was walking ahead of us and moving his right hand – I could see His hand moving from behind. Aunty asked, “Kya hooa Swami – bache ne kya kiya?” (what happened Swami – what did the child do ?) Swami said, “Swami ka kam karne ka mouka mila – bolta hai moksha chaiye!”(They are getting opportunity to do Swami’s work and he is saying he wants liberation)

Last few months I have been going in and out of depression – but these memories pull me out – every sentence of His is loaded with meaning. Now we were in our last year of M.Sc. and we were all running here and there trying to catch every glimpse of Swami not knowing which will be our last darshan. One day I was standing near the erstwhile Ganesh portico when Swami came and asked: “What do you want?” I said, “I want you swami!”

Swami again said, “Tell me, what do you want?” I thought to myself that this was the best chance to stamp my MBA seat so I said, “Swami I want a seat here in MBA!”

Swami said, “You want MBA ? Then go to the vice chancellor!” and showed me towards the VC. I then realized that my first answer was right – from God we must want only God – the moment we want something else He will send us there.

Another day – it was our routine then around 2.30 – 3 pm we would follow Swami to the interview room and then Swami would take us for tiffin. That day as I entered the interview room, somebody whispered that Swami was already there – as I entered I saw Swami in the form I didn’t want to see – the Narasimha Avatar form! He had a letter in His hand. Swami looked at me furiously. Sometimes the sculptor uses the hammer to do the sculpting – especially in those hostel days when we have lots of energy and no direction. Swami asked, “Where were you?” I didn’t have the courage to tell Him that I was on time and that Swami was early! Swami showed me the letter that some people from the hostel had complained to Swami about me saying that I was so talkative and how Swami chose me in spite of all this. He said, “Look what people are talking about you -even the hostel warden is complaining about you”. I was extremely hurt I fell on my knees and sobbed and cried – I was sobbing uncontrollably – suddenly Swami just melted like butter. He held my neck and put my head on His chest – the moment my head touched His chest my sobbing just vanished – all my pain just vanished and I was at peace. Swami then took me near His throne and sat there majestically and I sat at His feet and He asked me, “when you were a kid – did you not run around naked?” I smiled and said, “Yes swami I might have” Swami said, “Will you do that now?” I said, “No Swami I won’t do that now.” Swami said, “See that was your sahaja swabhav then – now you are ashamed to recollect it. Similarly, your behavior before talking to Swami was sahaja for that moment; now, after speaking to Swami, that behavior will no longer be sahaja then why should you be ashamed about it? You did it because of ajnana(ignorance).” I still remember how lovingly Swami spoke to me and transformed that rock that day.

Recently, 4 days after the Mahasmadhi was opened, I was weeping near the Samadhi – but the moment my head touched the marble slab of the Samadhi, I immediately stopped crying and felt the same peace I felt that day in the interview room. Yes, Swami is still very much there with us!

Earlier during morning I would pray to swami to give morning darshan – I would plead and request Him saying, “Please Swami, let’s go at least twice a week for morning darshan. See, people are coming from so far waiting for your darshan!” Swami said, “Do you know how much this body has worked?” Hearing this, we were in tears and prayed, “Swami you please rest – we will do the work and you watch us Swami!”

Once a lady from Haryana group shouted, “I love you Swami!” Swami said, “Love my words!” Yes, dear brothers and sisters, we have to love and follow our sculptor’s words. We have to keep reading. We don’t know when we will get that single line, that single stroke from our sculptor which will transform us. Till then we have to keep on reading.

Those last three trying weeks when Swami was in the hospital – First week, every day I dreamt of Swami walking around here and there like before. The next week I dreamt that Swami was lying in the bed not well and in the last week I stopped getting any dreams of Him. I was very optimistic till the end but I was sad that Swami was not coming to my dreams and telling me anything. I hadn’t slept for many days at a stretch and on 23rd April I felt little tired, so I thought of taking a quick nap. No sooner had I slept for maybe 5 mins I heard Swami’s voice very sharply like the first time He spoke in my left ear. This time He spoke in my right ear. Swami said very loudly as if my right ear drum would explode, “BE CAREFUL!” I woke up with a start and ran to Swami’s room but something inside me said that this was not good news.

Recently during the Navarathri, I could not sleep for 10 days. I was in a bad shape – my beds were never rolled – days and nights I would be awake. During Swami’s birthday on 23rd Nov, an incident happened which I want to share. We were busy decorating the jhoola and then a couple of boys and I lighted diyas and played a bhajan sung by Swami. This is a ritual that we few boys who were with swami follow since then before starting the day. This way we get to start the day by listening to His voice. The bhajan was going on and I dozed off – when I dozed off I heard the first line and when I woke up I heard the last line so I must have slept for the whole bhajan. I was very, very tired – I had a dream that I was lying dead on the floor and Swami was giving my body artificial breathing with both His hands, “ WAKE UP !” Yes brothers, it is time for all of us to wake up and carry on His work!

We are very blessed that we could enjoy and be in the presence of the living God. Those whose lives He has touched can no longer lead ordinary lives. He has touched all of us and made our lives extraordinary. It is now our turn to carry forward the work started by Him. And yes, Brothers we have to love His words all the time. He is very much with us all the time. His words will rule the world for the next million years. These memories will always be with us and energize us whenever we feel low – these memories will take us ahead. No ordinary lives for us! At the right time, the sculptor chooses his rock and starts working on it – we have to wait for our time to be picked by our sculptor - our divine Bhagawan.

(As Compiled by Mrs.Shelly Ghosh)