From Team Venugaanam's Desk

We are delighted to bring to you the October 2012 edition of Venugaanam. This edition begins with Swami’s Divine call to His devotees and students to give up misunderstandings and narrow mindedness to become ideal and victorious leaders.

We have heuristic questions and interesting topics like Ayurveda and past life regression discussed in the regulars on ‘AtmaJyothi’, ‘Astrology and Spirituality’, and ‘A Journey Within’. 

An interesting experience shared by Mr G Prabhakar Rao from Puttaparthi, highlights the import of Swami’s statement when He says:” I am in you , above you, below you, around you”. Through this miraculous incident, Swami once again confirms His omnipresence and shows how He protects His devotees at every step.

In the creativity section, Sister Prameela shares some of her ideas and photographs of hand- made articles. Many items which we believe as useless can actually be transformed into decorative items and gifts of beauty.

Swami's Discourse- Bhagwan's Call to His Students and Devotees

THIS is the age of science and technology. On the one side astonishing progress has been made in the field of plastics, electronics and computers. Scientists have also made wonderful  discoveries in the spheres of atomic energy and space exploration. Moreover man is sending out into space artificial satellites. Enormous energy and expenses are being devoted for investigating the mysteries of the atom. But there is no comparable concern for developing human behavior In the competition for over-reaching each other, men are immersed in selfishness and are pursuing wrong courses. Politics and economics are bedevilled by crises. Men are driven by caste and religious conflicts. The appetite for power and position has become insatiable. These are causing the disintegration of the sacred land of Bharat.

Atmajyoti- Removal of the Confusion of the World

 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.)

   Not  only  the  selfhood  is  an  obstacle  to  apprehend  that  we  are  the  Absolute  Form  of  Auspiciousness;  and  the  world  that  appears  for  us  is  also  another  obstacle  to  that  Awareness.  If  we  are  the  unique  Form  of  Awareness,  how  the  world  of  inert  objects  would  have  come  out?  This  thought  is  a  fearful  impediment  for  the  reflection  of  the  Auspiciousness. Similar  to  us,  many  living  beings  are  here;  all  of  them  live  with  us;  and  as  us,  they  are  also  having  pleasure  and  pain.  How does this multiplicity of selfhood appear?  We  can  apprehend,  somehow,  that  the  Self  is  of  the  form  of  awareness;  but  how  do  we  apprehend  these  inert  objects  are  of  the  form  of  awareness?  These  inert  objects  appear  to  the  self;  and  these  are  liked  or  disliked  by  the  self;  and  as  the  self  uses  these  inert  objects  that  are  depending  on  another  are  used.  How  do  we  apprehend  these  inert  objects  as  of  the  form  of  awareness? 

Sai Krushna Mandir Children's Home-Construction Updates

 

THE MAKING OF SAI KRUSHNA MANDIR- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Phase 2 after completion

With the Divine Blessings and grace of our Beloved Swami, the ground floor of Phase 1 of the children’s home – Sai Krushna Mandir – is to be inaugurated on 23^rd November, 2012. While there are numerous challenges, the SKM construction team is working to ensure that the foundation, construction and funding are all moving along expected timelines.

By Swami’s grace the ground floor roof work for Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir was completed in the second week of September. The first floor roof is expected to be completed by the second week of September.  

 Sai Krushna Mandir Phase 1 after completion

School Updates- Lord Ganesha Installation

SHARAVATHI SCHOOL UPDATE

Teacher's day celebration at school

Newly made Ganesha shrine in school

Astrology and Spirituality- Ayurveda- Nature's Secret for Healthy Living

By KVRK Bhargav

(Bhargav is a student of Swami who after completing his B.Tech 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 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)

Why is it that some people are tall while others are short, some people put on weight while others don't gain weight irrespective of what they eat, why some people are inherently peaceful and contended while others are anxiety personified? Why is it that some people are voracious eaters while others eat very scantily? Why is it that some people are self motivated and work tirelessly while others are lazy and averse to work?

Ayurveda provides answers to all these questions.

A Journey Within - Part 6

-By Sriram S.
(Sri Ram. S is an MSc (Math) and MBA grad from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He was also the University Brass band leader, a mandir bhajan singer and one of the founders of the alumni Band Group known as Rhythmic Energy. Post studies he worked in the IT industry for over 6 years after which he moved on and is currently a practising Clinical Integrated Hypnotherapist working out of Bangalore. He has founded Sunshine Wellness Studio (www.SunshineStudio.in) that aims at using various modalities of hypnotherapy for healing. Feel free to write in on your experiences and also if you have any further queries at info@SunshineStudio.in )



Working with the Metaphors within

In the previous post we had walked through the theories of Past Life Regressions and metaphoric imagery in the mind. In this post we will learn a very simple effective tool to be able to dive into the deep recesses of our own subconscious mind and work with these metaphoric representations. You could also consider (and for practical purposes these are) past life memories.

God is Closer than the Closest

(Mr Prabhakar Rao is a former employee of Tata Steel having served in different capacities in the Vigilance section and other divisions. He was one of the founding members of the Jamshedpur Sai samithi. He and his wife were instrumental in Bal Vikas for children in Jamshedpur in the 80’s and 90’s.  An active member of the Sai organization, he has now settled in Puttaparthi.In this article he shares his wife’s experience of how Swami saved her from immanent danger in a miraculous manner.)

Swami said in His discourses that "I am with you, in you, Around you".  This is true and realized if one has full faith and belief in Him.   On 12. 7. 2012 I was in Secunderabad and my wife, Mrs Prabhavati Rao in Parthi.  On that day early hours Prabhavati Rao had a dream.  In that dream she saw Swami coming alone from Yajurmandir to Kulwant hall for darshan.  When Swami entered Kulwant Hall from ladies side they saw Him and started telling Swami,Swami,Swami.  Prabhavati Rao also did the same. She got up and followed Swami.  He walked some distance and took a turn towards the steps which were there previously where Swami's samadhi is presently there.  He climbed the steps and reached the dais. Prabhavati Rao also climbed the steps after Him and reached the dais.  On that day Swami's chair was kept on the ladies side of the dais.  Swami went and sat in the chair kept for Him.  Then Swami saw Prabhavati Rao and said to take Padanamaskar which she did putting her head touching Swami's Lotus feet.  Swami blessed her with His hand on her head.  She got up happily and came down the steps and sat with the ladies.  This is the dream of Prabhavati Rao on 12. 7. 2012 early hours.  

Creativity Section: Using Household Stuff to Beautify Home

(Prameela K is a homemaker living in Chennai and an ardent devotee of Bhagavan. She is a firm believer in making the best use of all resources as gifts of God. In this article shares with us her creative designs and articles which she has been developing as her hobby. She has been utilizing this hobby to decorate her home especially at the time of the Golu( dolls) festival in Navarathri. Her efforts have won her great recognition including the 1st prize in the Chennaionline.com, 2nd Prize in Time of India, 2nd prize on Kotak Mahindra bank, 4th prize in Sankara TV and some more prizes in local newspapers.)

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  Amman Doll:  This is a very old doll repainted since the original paint had started peeling off.  Instead of throwing away the old dolls we can bring life to the doll by repainting & varnishing it thereby restoring its beauty.