Serve the poor and the needy always - Swami Once upon a time in the temple of Visweswara in Kasi, the Pujari was offering Arati to the deity. Suddenly, a big gold plate fell from above. The Pujari was surprised and happily picked it up to have a closer look at it. There was an inscription on the plate, which read as follows: "It should be given to the greatest devotee. One who does not chant the Divine Name is not qualified to get it."
Then the Pujari thought to himself, "everyday, I am performing Sahasra Lingarchana and Abhishekam to the Lord. I am sanctifying my time by chanting the sacred mantras from the four Vedas. Can there be a greater devotee than me?" When such ego and pride clouded his mind, the gold plate From that day onward, whoever visited the temple was asked to touch the plate to find out if he deserved to receive the gold plate. But it so happened that the plate would turn into an earthen one whenever somebody touched it. It continued for a few days. There was a devotee who always chanted the Name of God, but did not perform any other sadhana like Japa,, Thapa, Dhyana etc. He had no desires. He had achieved dama (sense control). One day he visited the temple. On being requested by the Pujari to touch the plate, he said, "Sir, I don't have any desires. Hence, I don't want to touch it." The Pujari requested him to touch the plate at least for his satisfaction. The devotee did not want to displease the Pujari and therefore he touched the plate. No sooner did he touch it than it started shining with added brilliance. People who were witness to this event surrounded him and started asking, "Oh noble soul! What is the method of worship you follow, what is the sadhana you perform?" Then he replied, "I have not performed any japa, thapa, yajna or yaga (sacrifices or rituals). I only serve the poor. They are very dear to God." - From Swami's 2003 Easwaramma Day Divine Discourse. ====================================================================== Lief is meaningless without Service - Swami Only through service, can one become the recipient of divine Grace. Life is meaningless if one does not participate in service activities. The best way to love God is to serve God. You should aspire for the welfare of all and follow the path of Love and Service. Only then will your life find fulfilment - From Swami's Divine Discourse on 5th July 2003. ========================================================================= We can get happiness only when we work hard - Swami Without working hard, one cannot lead a happy life. Na sukhat labhyate sukham (one cannot derive happiness out of happiness). We can get happiness only when we work hard. For every action of ours, there is bound to be reaction. For every sound that we make there will be resound. When we undertake righteous action and utter sacred words, the same will come back to us in the form of reaction, reflection and resound. - From Swami's Divine Discourse on 15th April 2003. ========================================================================= God is changeless, pure, and eternal - Swami God is changeless, pure, and eternal. He has absolutely no trace of selfishness in Him. He is always concerned about the welfare of the devotees. Do not superimpose your selfishness on God and get deluded. When everything is in His hand, how can there be selfishness in Him? Whatever He does is for the welfare of all. Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu (May all the people of the world be happy)! This is what God aspires for. He is known as Aprameya, since He is beyond all measure. He is present in man's hridaya (heart) in the form of bliss. He shines as prema swarupa (embodiment of love). He practises dharma, being the embodiment of dharma. He leads from the front, setting an ideal for humanity and helping everyone. He says, "Oh man! Why fear when I am here. Follow Me." Why should one fear when God has given such an assurance? - From Swami's 2003 Tamil New Year Divine Discourse. ========================================================================= By Sadhana (spiritual exercises), you can correct your faults and bring forth your good qualities and thus ensure Shanti (peace) for yourselves, your society and country. Each one of you has the tremendous Shakti (power) of the Atma (soul) within you Sai Ram. Some are able to draw upon it, others just know it exists and some are unaware of the method of tapping it or even of its existence. It will come in time, through steady Sadhana. __._,_.___ To unsubscribe from this group, send email to saimsg+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
