The Journey- with Sai because of Sai

Dr. M Ananth

It was June 2012 and I had to come from Australia for my beloved father’s first year Shraadha ceremony. But there was one another agenda of that trip, which was admission of our daughter Saishweta in year 2 at Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Prashanthi Nilayam.  This agenda was as important as the earlier. My father had merged into his cosmic formless being one with his SAI just 9 days after the eternal SAI willed to assume his Nirakara (formless) roopam (form). I would reserve an article on this for a later date. The current episode is about a trip in May 2013 that was being planned during our trip to Puttaparthi (Parthi) in June 2012.

We came to Parthi in June 2012 and met with the headmistress aunty as my nephew was being admitted to standard 1 in the Sri Sathya Sai (SSS) Primary school. We approached her with a request for our daughter’s admission. She maintained that there were no vacancies and that we should come in May 2013. More so, a letter written by Saishweta (our daughter) with the only request for admission in SSS Primary school kept in a sealed envelope in front of Swami was blessed with profuse vibhuti inside the envelope.

Swami's Discourse- Krishna : incarnation of love

Love is God; the Cosmos is permeated with Love.

Assuming the Love form, to save His beloved ones,

Showering the nectarine stream of Love,

Krishna came as the embodiment of Love for those yearning for

Him.

Everything is born out of pure Love;

All joy is derived from unalloyed Love;

So are Truth, Sacrifice, Peace and Forbearance

If Love is lacking, there can be no contentment.

This is the path of Sai and the word of Truth.

GOD as Friend

(An extract from the divine discourse of Bhagwan Baba on 14/01/1991)

Do not brag about your learning,
Nor proclaim your affluence;
Don't lose your head over your wealth,
Nor boast about your progeny;
Do not proclaim you are a donor,
Nor feel elated because you are Swami's sevak;
Do not exult over your valour,
Or over your accomplishments;
When you win the approbation of a few
The Lotus-eyed Lord will bless you.
His feet are everywhere;
His eyes and Heads are everywhere;
With His ears in all directions,
Encompassing everything, stands the Lord.

DEAR Students and teachers! Embodiments of Divine Love! The Lord pervades everything in the cosmos with His myriad feet, hands, eyes, faces and ears. But man, not recognising the fact, imagines he is the doer and indulges in all kinds of speculation, thinking that no one knows about them. The Lord sees everything. No one can conceal anything from Him. He dwells inside and outside every living thing. Hence nothing can be hidden from Him. God dwells in all beings in one and the same form. Although living beings may vary from each other, God is One and indivisible. The sun shines over the water in the lake, in a well, in a vessel, in a river or over the ocean. Although the sun is one, he is reflected in different ways. The containers are varied, but God is one' and the same in all beings. Anthike Sath (The Divine is the nearest). There is nothing in the world nearer to one than the Divine.

Sraddha and Saburi (Faith and Patience)

KVRK Bhargav





It was time for evening darshan. All the students, rushed to take strategic locations to get a look, a smile, a pat, padanamaskar or if lucky enough few words of exchange from our beloved Lord. I was lucky enough to sit in first line without going through all this hassle as I got a special opportunity to get the sacred threads blessed by Him.
It was the year 2000, Swami performed our Upanayanam ceremony, in February. All the vatus as they are addressed came in a procession accompanied by their parents, to the Sai Kulwant Hall clad in yellow dhoti and angavastram and carrying a small piece of yellow cloth tied to a staff known as the deeksha danda, the staff of determination. We all were provided a copper vessel and spoon, a beautiful photo of Swami were made to go through the ceremony very scrupulously. Bhagawan went around the hall blessed all, posed for photographs with a lucky few and spoke to few students. In one such conversations, he made a profound declaration that if all the students who are getting initiation into the sacred Gayatri mantra sincerely do Sandhya worship, there won't be any problems in the world. The students decided to perform Sandhya regularly.

Golden Moments

Soumya Roopa


It was a joyous moment, when we were called by Bhagwan for an interview on 22nd feb 1987, Sunday .Bhagwan spoke to us the final year under graduates and post graduates studends, from 4.20pm till 5.45 pm. In the interview room at prashanthi nilayam, we had prayed for this valuable interview for many months, since it would perhaps be the only interaction with Bhagwan before we left the portals of His university.
Swami knows everything, all that you do .But you don‟t know that Swami knows everything, that is the difference between you and Me .The reason for this is your ignorance. Even death is better than ignorance. There are three reasons for ignorance- Mala, Vikshepa and Avarna.

A Birthday Gift- Divine Discourse

Emodiments of Love!

You must be thinking about the gift you have to offer Swami on this Birthday.

You can be happy that you have given Swami a proper gift only when you love your fellowmen, share their sufferings, and engage yourselves in serving them. That is the only gift I wish for. The present given to God has to be pure, steady and selfless Love.

On this birthday I have only one desire. I am desiring this only to promote your aanandha.

Rich people and people in power have plentiful servants. But the distressed, the poverty-stricken, and those who suffer have no one to serve them. Go to such people and be their friends, their kith and kin, their closest well-wishers. Let them welcome you as such. If you pour spirituality into the ears of those who are tortured by hunger, it will not be assimilated. First,   quench the hunger. Give them God in the form of food. Give them God in the form of clothes. Give God in the form of peace to those who are afflicted with anxiety. Give God in the form of medicine to those who are suffering from ill health. Give God in whatever form which will assuage fear, pain and sorrow. It is only when this is done that spirituality can soak into the heart. If you act contrariwise, instead of spiritual feelings you will be promoting atheism itself.

Construction and Birthday Updates- Sai Krushna Mandir

With the Divine Blessings and grace of our Beloved Swami, the ground floor of Phase 1 of the children’s home – Sai Krushna Mandir – was inaugurated on 23^rd November, 2012. Swami's  birthday celebrations were held on 23rd November morning at Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir amidst much grandeur.
It was wonderful to have students, devotees and their families participate in the simple but satisfying function.

The great take away from this function was the amount that can be achieved when dedicated families and individuals come together for Swami's work keeping Him as the center and reason of their lives. As Swami says, when like minded people unite for a noble purpose, wonders can be achieved. Currently, the plumbing, masonry and electrical works are all being taken up for the first floor also. The entire building would be finished by February/ March. It is expected that Sai Krushna Mandir will be functional as a children’s home from April/May 2013. That way, the children who will be coming will also be able to join during the change of academic session. We also invite applications for suitable volunteer families who will be willing to live with and take care of the children. 

Grama Seva- Autobiography of a Tractor

By KVRK Bhargav


I chugged out of the Gopuram gate with a bunch of boisterous boys chanting Jai Bolo Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba ji ki Jai. Another arduous day had started for me in the annual Sri Satya Sai Grama Seva 2012. They call me the beast of burden perhaps mockingly. I am always an object of dislike due to my lack of agility, a bumpy ride and  status of a stock vehicle. I am a tractor named T4 (fourth group) and I consider myself a part of the Grama Seva irrespective of what others think. I have got used to this step motherly treatment of starting half an hour to forty five minutes before the whole convoy leaves which is a dampener for students to join me. The remonstrances showed by Adi Narayana, my driver,  regarding leaving early were brushed aside by the teacher in-charge who said rather dismissively, "After all the tractor is like a tortoise, it can't match the speed of the mini trucks which are like the hares. Tractor has to reach in time to the village to supply us with food prasadam and ladoos."

Construction Updates- Making of Sai Krushna Mandir

With the Divine Blessings and grace of our Beloved Swami, 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 earthwork, excavation and foundation work for Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir was completed in the first week of August. The ground floor roof is expected to be completed by the first week of September.  

      Sai Krushna Mandir Phase 1 after completion

The dry summer in Southern India had been a cause of concern and the onset of monsoons in mid August was a huge relief for not just the agriculturists, but also from the perspective of construction. As mentioned in the previous update, the foundation work was finished in end July and the plinth work has also been done in first week of August. The monsoons could not have been timed better for us as the cement needs curing just after foundation work is ready. This will ensure maximum strength and natural curing. Our construction consultants- Shankarnarayan consultancy- have designed the foundation particularly strong to allow for future expansion of the building vertically by even 2 additional floors. This will ensure saving of useful land space for play. Once foundation was complete, the land refilling has been completed and the columns and beams now project above the ground. The floor plan markings have been done for ground floor and the work is in earnest progress to complete the ground floor roof by the first week of September. The common entrance area for portico, lift and stair case have all been clearly demarcated. Plumbing, electrical and roof diagrams are expected shortly to enable construction work.  The members of the SKM construction team are also making frequent site visits to monitor the quality and quantum of progress.

Our construction consultants, the civil contractor Mr Umesh and members of the SKM construction team are all satisfied with the rate of progress and quality of construction. Kindly see the attached photos. We are working to ensure good safety standards by not allowing children near the site. Children of the construction workers are attending the Sharavathi Higher Primary school while their parents go to work. On Krushna Janmashthami day, sweets were also distributed for all the construction workers.

We look forward to all your active involvement and participation in this God given opportunity. We also welcome you to come and visit the site and witness the making of Sai Krushna Mandir. From our side, we will keep you updated through Venugaanam and the website. You are free to contact us directly for any further information. We are confident that, just as Swami’s bounteous blessings ensured the procurement of excellent drinking water and land, Swami’s grace will crown our genuine intentions and He will continue to guide and bless the entire effort.

Educare and Children-My Thoughts on Free Education

Prateeksha

(Prateeksha graduated with B.Com (Hons) at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus after her schooling in Bangalore. Currently, she is pursuing her Chartered Accountancy(Final) while also gaining experience as an intern at Prashanth & Associates Chartered Accountants. Her interests include reading and listening to music. A very humble and dedicated person, she actively participates in every Seva opportunity. In this article she shares her thoughts on the concept of Free Education and how it can best yield positive results.)

Recently, I have been pondering on Free Education, its quality and the right target audience for an educare based learning programme. Does Free education really serve the purpose and who might be the best recipients of such a system? While, everything has its own advantages & disadvantages depending on the situation, and while there are no exact answers, I would like to share a few thoughts on the topic of Free Education.

We often hear people mention that Education is a critical necessity in every one’s life. But what type of education?  Swami says true educations imparts wisdom, and helps in enlightening a person to discriminate between the ‘rights’ & the ‘wrongs’.

I know that institutions disseminating such education are very rare but they are not extinct. For instance, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s institutions are known for or rather they concentrate on this type of education more than the worldly type. We call it ‘Education for Life, not just for a Living’.

Coming to think of it, most people aspire for the education that will land them more money and higher status alone. Hence the aspiration for getting such ‘education for life’ itself is rare. If one is required to pay for the same, even fewee would evince interest.  At the same time, it’s not a joke or an easy task to impart education to those who are already running behind ephemeral and fleeting passions.

No wonder then that Swami began the whole process with the young, innocent and unpolluted minds. As He puts it: “Young minds are like liquid gold which can be put to any shape that the goldsmith desires. Once youth sets in, the minds will solidify into the mould that it was cast into.”  So, what better way than to follow the Master and spread this education in Human Values among the young children?

Children of today are very bright for their age, have creativity beyond levels seen hitherto and their thinking processes are fast. Many of them have shown keen interest in attending Bal Vikas and Human Values based games and programmes. In my opinion, providing Values Based Education free to the younger minds will ensure that the future leaders of the world are noble citizens with concern for all round welfare. I conclude by saying, that if anyone can or wishes to provide ‘education for life’, it ought to be free to children who are beginning their schooling so that the foundation of value education would be built strongly. Later as they grow & cross their schooling stage, wherever they go for higher studies, this firm footing would ensure that they would be capable of learning the right things in the right way & become responsible citizens.

||Jai Sai Ram||

Satyameva Jayate- Truth Alone Triumphs

By B. Aravind

B. Aravind graduated from Swami’s university in Puttaparthi with an MBA in 2007 after his M.Sc in Chemistry. A brilliant student throughout his academic life, he also got a Gold Medal in B. Sc Chemistry at Brindavan and was among the toppers in school at the plus Two level. Aravind is a bubbly individual and is passionate about photography, writing and music. Its difficult to miss Aravind running about following Swami and taking photographs of our Lord in Parthi. Currently, he works for Radio Sai in Prashanthi Nilayam. In this article he eloquently narrates his experience as a student when Swami crystallized his faith in the power and ultimate victory of truth.

A very interesting episode occurred during my school days. Today, when I look back on it in retrospect, I see that it shows the immaturity of a child’s thinking and the maturity of Swami’s love! This happened when I was in my 11th standard (1998) when I had taken the combination BPC ( Bio Science, Physics and Chemistry).

Before I narrate that episode, let me tell you about the mandir lines. Everyday, we would go to the mandir (for darshan of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) from the hostel in ordered lines. And to ensure that everyone has equal chances of getting physically close to Swami, each day different classes would go first. For instance, if the first day, the order of the lines was classes VIII, IX , X, XI and XII, the next day the order would be IX, X, XI, XII, VIII and so on, in a cycle. Sundays were special because we would go even for the morning darshan as it was a holiday. The Sundays had a special rotation system of its own with the cycle changing every week! And this whole thing would be manned by teachers.

That was fine as far as equality of classes was concerned. But what about the order of students within a class? There was an unwritten rule (made by the boys, of the boys and for the boys!)- anyone who could get ready with a wash, shave and vibhuti dot on the forehead could rush down to the assembling point after (and only after ) the bell for lines would ring. The order of the boys in different rows would then get determined as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and so on. If anyone was not neatly shaved and washed or missed the vibhuti dot, he would be disqualified and his position confiscated by the next boy in the order. At times, this would force us to go to classes after a complete wash up. This was especially true for the post-lunch sessions on the days when our class would be first.

On this particular day, we were having our Chemistry lab sessions. As a class we had disappointed the teacher concerned and he was in an irritable mood. It was also the day when our class would be first in the lines and there was a nervous energy all around. We were all the students of the Science section. There were students of the Commerce section too from our class and so our silent hope was that our class would be let out earlier than theirs. ( You see, there were so many levels of competition to be overcome to get first into the lines!)

With 10 minutes to go, all of us began to automatically wash the glassware and start winding up for the day. It was a tough task and in the hurry to finish fast, a few beakers cracked and broke. Needless to say, this irritated the teacher even more. None of us have ever paid any laboratory fees and all the chemicals and glassware are provided to us with love by Swami. While other labs have breakage charges, there are none in our labs. So, naturally, the least that is expected of us is to maintain these gifts of love with care.

I too was washing away furiously in a hurry, taking care that no glassware breaks. Finally, within a minute of the final bell, all the glassware had been washed and arranged in the shelves. My legs were waiting with pent up energy for the rush to capture a front spot in the lines. As fate would have it, the teacher began to inspect the washed glassware and he located one beaker that had remnants of the organic chemicals that had been used. He immediately picked it up and asked “Whose beaker is this?”

I realized that it was mine. And I was caught between the horns of a dilemma. Immediately the little white angel on my right and the little red devil on my left began their traditional conversation!

“Just keep quiet. There is no way he will find out it is your beaker. He will get frustrated and let go.”

“No! That is not right. You know that it is yours and you should own up. Moreover, instead of letting go, he may punish the whole class.”
“You raise your hand now and your chance to be front in the lines is gone! The chance to get physically near to Swami is too great to be left for the sake of a chemical drop on a beaker!”
“You know that the problem is not as skewed as the devil is putting it. Remember that more than the nearness, the dearness to Swami matters. And by following the truth, you will please Him.”

“Satyameva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs) is a motto for the aeons gone by. It is not relevant now.”
“Truth is for ever and it always triumphs. You speak the truth and you will be rewarded. That is for sure. ”

“Tell me! Whose beaker is this?”, the voice thundered again.

I immediately raised my hand and said, “I am sorry sir! That is mine.”

The teacher’s eyes immediately seemed to calm down. He said, “All can leave now.”
Even as I prepared for the sprint, he said, “Aravind. Stay back.” I was punished. I was given a load of glassware to wash and then alone could I leave for the mandir. I was immediately fraught with disappointment and sadness. It then erupted as anger within me.

“I thought that speaking the truth will save me. It only put me in deeper problem. Forget the front lines, I doubt whether I will even be in time for darshan!”

As I angrily continued the washing, I failed to notice that the teacher had punished himself too - by not going to the mandir till I was done. I was too busy with my own ‘misfortune’ to think about him. My mind continued to speak

“This Satyameva Jayate really seems to be relevant only for the past. I don’t care how, but if it is relevant even in the modern times, then Swami, I want you to bless me today. I want you to accept a handkerchief from me and smile at me. I don’t know how you will do it but you must do it if you want me to have faith in the truth.” I threw this as a challenge to Him. I felt slightly happy within because I was in a win-win situation. At a time when I was sure to be late for darshan, if Swami were to give me that chance of offering a handkerchief to Him, my day would be so special. In case that did not happen, I would have no problem lying myself out of future situations! ( There! This is what I referred to as the immaturity of the child.)

So many things depend on His smile...

Finishing my punishment, I informed the teacher who was still waiting patiently for me. He too seemed sad. I felt that he deserved to miss darshan for he had made me miss mine. ( Later, I found out that he was sad because he felt responsible for me missing my darshan and he was praying to Swami to wait till I arrived! Wow! The teachers here are some magical creatures of love!)

I went to the mandir and there was no music on. I was sure that darshan had been complete. I was shocked to find out that for some reason, Swami had not yet arrived for darshan! (This was very very rare those days. Swami was always on time!) And as I walked in to the students’ area, I saw one empty space right in the first line. How could anyone have missed it? I asked the boy seated there whether that space was reserved for someone and he replied in a negative. Once again, the immature thinking set in.

“Swami wants to make it easy for Himself to prove to you the importance of Truth. If I sit here, He will create vibhuti for some devotee and take the handkerchief from me. I shall not make it that easy for Him!”

Thinking thus, I gave up that space and went to sit in the portico outside the interview room. This was a region that was manned by two of Swami’s assistants and in case He created vibhuti here, they would offer the kerchief to Him. I wanted concrete proof of His response and as I did this, I could see the little red devil snickering at the little white angel. I felt a little guilty too, but I went ahead with my plan.

What happened, completely bowled me over. I sat in the portico and the darshan music began. Swami arrived and completed His darshan rounds. He came to the portico and began to speak to some devotee. And at the end of the two-minute interaction, He began to swirl His palm to create vibhuti. He gifted the vibhuti to the devotee. I was a good 3 meters away from Him. But, out of sheer instinct, I had tugged the kerchief out of my pocket. However, I stayed put in my place and one of the two assistants went to Swami with a handkerchief.

Swami just looked away from him into my eyes. He smiled and stretched out His hand seeking the kerchief in my hand. Like a robot, I got up from my place and went to Him. I gave the hand kerchief to Him. He wiped His hand, smiled at me and threw the kerchief back to me. I returned to my place in a daze.

Even as I sat, my senior beside me nudged me and said, “You are a ‘form’ boy man! He specially wanted you. Did you have some sort of a prayer-deal with Him?”

What could I say? I realized that a win-win situation for me was also a win-win situation for Him. His love is such that He wins if I win. One thing is for sure. I know that Truth Always Triumphs.

Source: http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com/hub/Satyameva-Jayate-Truth-alone-triumphs

Lessons on Seva Saadhana

An extract from a divine discourse by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on January 12, 1968.

Society is the coming together of people. Cooperation among people in a society, motivated by spontaneity and by pure intentions, is the hall-mark of seva (service). Seva can be identified by means of two basic characteristics' Compassion and willingness to sacrifice.

History informs us that in all countries and in every age, man is a social animal. Man is born in society, he grows in and through society and his life ends in society itself. Man's songs and speech, his duties and diversions, are all determined by society. Society for man is like water for fish: if society rejects him or neglects him he cannot survive.

What a single individual cannot accomplish, a well-knit group or society can achieve. A man walking alone will feel tired and miserable at the end of five miles; but, walking with ten others as a group he would find the five miles a jaunt. He arrives refreshed and strong. Social living contributes increased happiness and more efficient effort among birds and beasts. They are able to defend themselves from enemies, secure food and shelter, migrate to places beyond great distances when they act as a group. Even ants have learn, that immense benefits are derivable from group activity and social organisation. Monkeys also live in groups for greater security and happier lives.

Let me tell you that nothing is impossible of achievement if an organised society is set on achieving it. Even liberation from material entanglement (Moksha) can be won through serving and promoting the progress of society. Through the sense of unity, the willingness to sacrifice and the softness of compassion, all objects can be gained. So, the Sathya Sai Organisation must move forward with hearty enthusiasm in the field of service to society.

Service must bring about uprooting of ego

The first lesson in seva has to be learnt in the family circle itself. Father, mother, brothers, sisters---in this limited group which is well knit, one must engage in loving service and prepare for the wider seva that awaits outside the home. The character of each individual member determines the peace and prosperity of the family; the character of each family is the basic factor that decides the happiness and joy of the village or the community. And, the nation's progress is based on the strength and happiness of the communities which are its components. So, for the welfare of the country and of the entire world, the spirit of service, vital enthusiasm, constructive imagination, pure motivation, and unselfish alertness are all urgently needed.

Take Hanumaan as your example in seva. He served Raama, the Prince of Righteousness, regardless of obstacles of all types. Though he was strong, learned and virtuous, he had no trace of pride. When asked who he was by the raakshasaas (demons) in Lanka into which he had entered so daringly, he described himself, in all humility, as the 'servant of Raama.' That is a fine example of uprooting of the ego which seva must bring about in us. No one can serve another while his ego is rampant. The attitudes of mutual help and selfless service develop the 'humanness' of man and help the unfoldment of the divinity latent in him.

Krishna was known to all as almighty, all-knowing, all encompassing and all-fulfilling. Yet, the enthusiasm to do seva prompted him to approach Dharmaraaja, the eldest of the Paandava brothers, on the eve of the magnificent Raajsooya Yaaga he had planned to celebrate and offered to take up seva of any kind. He suggested that he might be given the task of cleaning the dining hall after the guests have partaken of the feast! Krishna insisted on outer cleanliness and inner cleansing. Clean clothes and clean minds are the ideal combination.

During the battle of Kurukshetra, which climaxed the Mahaabhaaratha story, Krishna served as the 'driver' of the chariot of Arjuna throughout the day on the field and when dusk caused the adjournment of the fight, he led the horses to the river, gave them a refreshing bath and applied healing balms to the wounds suffered by them during the fierce fray. He mended the reins and the harness and rendered the chariot battleworthy for another day.

Seva rendered to every living being is Saadhana

The Lord sets the example for the devotees to follow. He teaches that service done to any living being is offered to Him only and is accepted by Him most joyfully. Service rendered to cattle, to beasts, to men is laudable saadhana. Keeping the environment of our residences clean, providing help to those who live around the place, going to hospitals and serving the patients who are in the wards---in such acts of service the members of the Sathya Seva Organisation must take active part. Many do such things now as 'social service,' not as a saadhana in a fullhearted manner. The saadhana spirit is not found in the activity.

Through seva saadhana, Hanumaan attained identity with Raama, as the river attains identity with the sea. Arjuna too considered every act as saadhana to attain the grace of Krishna, for Krishna directed him to fight on, ever keeping Him in memory---"Maamanusmara Yuddhyacha."

You too should keep God ever in your mind as the pace-setter, whether you are serving patients in the hospitals or cleaning a drain in the bazaar. That is the thapas, that is the highest form of saadhana. More than listening to a hundred lectures or delivering them to others, offering one act of genuine seva attracts the Grace of God.

The body has to be utilised for service to others. Activity is its main purpose. Krishna says, "I have no need to be engaged in work but I do work in order to activate the world." More aanandha can be won by serving others than what can be got by merely serving oneself. Offer service to some one in need, with a full heart and experience the aanandha that results. It need not be something big; it can even be small and unnoticed by others. It has to be done to please the God within you and him.

Avoid the ego marring your saadhana

We require today those who take delight in selfless service, but such men are rarely seen. You who belong to the Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, every one of you, must become a sevak, eager to help those who need it. When the sevak (helper) becomes the nayak (leader) the world will prosper. Only a kinkara (servant) can grow into a Shankara (Master). Of course, one has to eliminate the ego totally. Even a trace of it will bring disaster. However long you may do dhyaana, however constant your japa, a little ego will render them barren of results. Bhajan done with egoistic pride will be as harsh as the crow's caw. So, try to avoid the ego marring your saadhana, even to a small extent.

You all know the story of Vishwaamithra, who had as a result of severe thapas for years, earned the power even to create another Heaven amenable to his will. His ego made him intensely passionate and short tempered (raajasik). So, he was known as Raaja-Yogi and Raajarishi. He was jealous of the sage Vasishta who was adored as a Brahmarishi and sought that title for himself. This made him even more raajasik. The wilder his desire, the higher rose the ego flames.

Be vigilant against doubts and fears


The Sathya Sai Organisation has laid down seva as saadhana, in order to uproot from your mind this evil trait. Service helps you to remove the ego. So, do not pay heed to what others might say when you engage in service activities. When you are doing good acts, why hesitate, why feel ashamed, why fear? Let Compassion and Sacrifice be your two eyes; let Egolessness be your breath and Love be your tongue. Let Peace reverberate in your ears. These are the five vital elements you have to live upon. God will not ask you, when and where did you do service? He will ask, "With what motive did you do it? What was the intention that prompted you?" You may weigh the seva and boast of its quantity. But, God seeks quality, the quality of the heart, the purity of the mind, the holiness .of the motive.

You know you have been doing, as seva dal members, seva in many fields and directions, for ten or twelve years. You are not novices; you are aware of the seva-way of life. But since you are human, veils and fog, weeds and worms infest the mind. Doubts and fears haunt your work. But be vigilant against the onslaughts of these. Strive everyday, faithful to the ideal you have set before yourself, to improve your seva activities along pure, unselfish, sacred lines.

This day and tomorrow, people with years of experience will be telling you the means and methods by which your seva activities can become more beneficial to a larger number of deserving people. You will also have group discussions on these topics. Confer among yourselves in a meaningful way and arrive at some proposals for bettering your service programmes. Later, I shall resolve any doubts that arise and advise you not only for seva here and now, but also for attaining peace and joy forever. I shall converse with you and reward you with ananda through My Blessings.

The Perfect Intro

By L. Abirami
(Abirami joined as a student of Swami in Class 4 in 1995 and has been fortunate to graduate with her B.Sc. in Home Science and her M. Sc. in Food Science and Technology under Swami’s direct guidance. She also has a specialization in dietetics and food service management. She combines a loving heart and genuine care for patients in her current role as dietitian in the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital. In this article Abirami shares her experience of seeing Swami for the first time and how the Lord left an indelible mark in her life).

How did the universal lord walk in to your life??
I hear this question being posed to many people out there and each has a unique and gratifying experience to narrate. A loving glance, an electrifying look, a word of assurance, gentle touch, all perfect examples for love at first sight.

Going down my memory lane, I still remember the horror when we set out for Puttaparthi. I was barely 5 years old when one October morning my mother said we are going to see God. My heart skipped a beat, for me God was nothing but the one who watches all that we do and punishes us by burning us in big cauldrons of boiling oil. All my pranks of stealing chocolates, gooseberries and disobeying came flooding to my mind, I knew my end was near. I made a “master plan” and decided I will not show my face to God, then He will never know who I am (foolish me!)

The day arrived; we were seated on sand awaiting His arrival. There was a hush, the dharshan had begun. I behaved like a perfect ostrich dug my head down, just wanted to hide completely from Him. Within few minutes I could see an orange form standing right in front of me. I knew at that moment I was caught for the oil bath, and then I heard Him In a voice so sweet He asked why I sat with my father? Yes I knew this was the trick to see my face, stubborn me, did not lift my head in spite of everyone nudging me. After about a couple of minutes He moved away. I was in ecstasy, my master plan worked. My joy was momentary. He suddenly came back, and once again stopped, tears began to trickle down my face. I still hung my head down. All I could feel was a shower of akshatas (yellow rice grains), falling on my head and people were enthralled. Automatically I looked up; there He stood in complete splendor with the most benevolent and an enchanting smile. My joy knew no bounds. All I could think was He is a good God.

That day He made the best entry in to my life, a perfect intro, a smile and a loving look that could wash away all my fears. I recollect a poem-

“We met as strangers
Though we knew each other.
Now that I am with you,
Let your house be my Home,
Where we can share our joy forever.

Enrolling in to his prestigious institutions, studying and growing right under His canopy of love and care, each day spent has been a wonderful experience.
As a mother, ensuring that all her children was fed well. Checking on our health time and again, for the mother all that mattered was her dear ones were safe and happy.
As a friend giving small and big surprises of distributing chocolates, ice creams, torches, watches, dolls, pens, saris, it’s a never ending list of gifts with love as price tags.
As a father admonishing about low marks, to study seriously, to work hard and come up to His expectations.
As a philosopher explaining simple facts and truths about life with beautiful anecdotes. He was the perfect gift all of us could get from our parents.
We came, we saw and He conquered us.
His love fosters life, it’s the noblest gift which was and is so pure, selfless, sublime and all pervasive.
Life will have its own ups and downs; it may take a U turn or do a somersault. Whatever the situation may be with each problem we face, our faith in Him should grow stronger and stronger. Precious Swami I pray...

Oh, lord

Lead kindly light amidst the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on;
The night is dark and I am far from home…lead me on.
Keep thou my feet. I do not ask to see, the distance scene one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path;
But now thou lead me on.
I loved the garish day, and spite fears,
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years
So long thy power hath blesseth me; Sure it will still lead me on