Faith & Patience…
Adorning two precious gems, Faith and Patience, Shraddha and Saburi as explained by Him in Shirdi, you wait for Him with prayers…you are sure to be rewarded… Read on GSV Prasada Rao’s testimony of His Divine Grace, as published in Sanathana Sarathi, March 1979. It was October 1976. I happened to take out from the library a strange type of Telugu novel named `Prasanthi Nilayamu’, in which most of the incidents and unravelling of plots happen in and around Prasanthi Nilayam, amidst the thousands of devoted pilgrims, so that the author gives vivid descriptions of the place. I was thrilled by these narratives and I realised that the holy place was only within 50 miles of Anantapur. I had a friend who used to visit that place and who was a devotee since fourteen years. I resorted to him, off and on, whenever I had a little time to spare, with a plea to tell me more and more of the place and Person Who had rendered it internationally famous as the Centre of a world wide spiritual revolution. Later he came to my place every evening and spoke on his experiences, sometimes for three hours at a stretch. We listened with awe and reverence. He also gave us some Telugu books about Swami and I devoured them with avidity. On the 1st day of January 1977, I had the first darshan of Bhagawan. It was New Year Day for Christians, Vaikuntha Ekadasi for Hindus and Moharrum for the Muslims! So, the entire area was packed thick with men and women of all faiths from all parts of the world. I had in mind a great desire to ask Swami, one question that was haunting me, “Why is it, Swami, that Nature destroys in one sweep the crop that we ryots raise with so much love and care?” But, when the darshan of Swami itself was so difficult, how could that question be presented to Him and an answer obtained? That evening at 5 pm, Bhagawan addressed the gathering and moved along the line where I was seated, so that I could imprint Him on my heart. It was a great gift. Swami also referred to the sudden upsurges of natural forces, which, to man, appear as calamities. A speeding car cannot be suddenly stopped—for that would bring on disaster. Nature has to obey the laws laid down. Man performs his duties and carries out his professions with care but he forgets to pray to God in thankfulness for all the facilities and forces he is awarded. Thus my question was answered by Bhagawan and I was free from disappointment. >From that day to this, my crops have never suffered loss through the anger or >indifference of Nature. In 1978, I was even awarded by the Government >Agricultural Department the title of `the best farmer of the district’. The >prize was a beautiful idol of Muralidhara—I firmly believe that Swami willed >He should come to me in this form. In January 1978, Swami appeared in a dream, and said, “Are you willing to go out of the country for four months for training in farming methods?” “I have no political leader to recommend me,” I replied. Swami said, “You must know I Am The One Who confers boons on all created beings.” In February 1978, my sister, absolutely on her own, sent me application forms and other necessary literature directing me to apply for being selected for foreign training. Her letter came to me on Shivaratri Day and I welcomed her proposal as a result of this co-incidence. The officer who had to receive and forward it discouraged me and said, “This scheme has been there since 30 years. Almost all the influential farms of this district have tried. But no one has succeeded hitherto. Your application will certainly be rejected.” I sent a telegram to Swami that I had sent in my application with no sponsor, except He. I was called for an interview in May but until the 3rd May there was no news from Delhi. The month of June rolled by. So, I decided I could not be included. I inferred that the dreams where Baba appears and communicates are merely the fabrications of our own minds and that I should henceforth attach no importance for them. If Swami wanted to direct us to do something, He would order us, direct, not through dreams. Who can describe my joy when on October 7th I got my order selecting me as one of the trainees and asking me to be ready to start for Houston, Texas, on the 21st October. Now, through Sai’s Grace, I am writing this letter from 14,000 miles away from Prasanthi Nilayam, but with Sai right beside me. Faith and Patience are the two paisa, which, at Shirdi, Swami asked for from everyone. They can bring us direct rewards. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2013/06/faith-patience/ “Why don’t You show Yourself to all?” Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 Is it so easy to manifest HIM, our Chosen Lord, in front of us in physical? …For Maladasa, an innocent cowherd, it was…as his unflinching faith coupled with persistent yearning won him His physical darshan…a story from the Mahabharata times as recounted by Bhagawan Himself… There was a cowherd called Maladasa who was determined to see the Lord, as He was described in the sacred texts he had heard expounded in the village temple by a pandit. So he prayed fervently to the “black Lord riding on the white bird” all the time his cows were pasturing in the fields. Eleven days passed; but, there was no sign of the “black Lord riding the white bird,” He had forgotten to take food and drink during all those days and so, had become weak, too weak to walk or talk. At last, the Lord melted at his entreaties and presented Himself before him as an old Brahmin; but the Brahmin was not riding a white bird, nor was he black, beautifully black, as the pandit had described. So, he asked the Brahmin to come the next day at seven in the morning, so that he may bring the pandit and verify whether He was the Lord Himself. The pandit laughed at the whole affair and refused to take part in it, but Maladasa was so importunate that he agreed. The entire village turned out on the river bank the next day, long before seven o’clock. The Brahmin was there, exactly as he had promised and Maladasa showed Him to all. But, they could not see him! They began to laugh at the cowherd’s antics and threatened him with a severe beating for bringing them along as butts for his joke. Maladasa could see the Brahmin clearly but no one else could. At last, he got so enraged that he walked up to the old Brahmin and gave him a whacking blow on the cheek, saying, “Why don’t you show yourself to all?” That blow changed the entire scene. Krishna appeared in resplendent robes, smiling face, captivating form and the white bird. As the astounded villagers were recovering from the amazement, the Vimana (heavenly chariot), floated down from the sky and Krishna asked Maladasa to sit inside it. Then, with the Lord by his side Maladasa rose up and soon was out of sight. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2013/06/why-dont-you-show-yourself-to-all/ Aum Sri Sai Ram Press Release by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust May 31, 2013 JUSTICE SRI A. P. MISRA IS APPOINTED AS A TRUSTEE OF SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST: Sri J.V. Shetty, Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has submitted his resignation from office due to his recurring health issues. The Board of Trustees has accepted Sri Shetty's resignation with regret while appreciating the services rendered by him so far. In the vacancy which has arisen in the Board of Trustees,Justice Sri A. P. Misra is appointed as a Trustee. Justice Misra is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India.He has been a devotee of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for many years since his first Darshan of Swami in 22nd November 1970.He has held offices like Chairman of the Human Rights Commission(Uttar Pradesh), Chairman of Arbitrators by ICC(International Chamber of Commerce) court, Paris (France) and Chairman of the Legal Education Committee of the Bar Council of India in addition to being an eminent jurist. The Board of Trustees feel that the appointment of Justice Misra is a worthy addition to the Board. Media Coordinator Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust Prasanthi Nilayam sourced: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/Announcements/CTPressRelease31May2013.html Aum Sri Sai Ram Press Release by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust May 26, 2013 BUDDHA POORNIMA CELEBRATIONS-NEPAL SINGAPORE PROGRAMME: Two thematic drama presentations by Nepal and Singapore marked the second and final evening of the Buddha Purnima Celebrations-2013 in Prasanthi Nilayam here today. After yesterday’s beautiful drama by the Thai devotees, depicting the malicious vices that affect the man of today, this evening, it was the turn of Nepal and Singapore to come out with two beautiful drama presentations, highlighting the teachings of Buddha and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. The programme commenced at 0520 hrs. with a Kauda Dance presentation by Nepalese children. This dance form, with Love as its underlying theme, belongs to the Magar ethnic communities of the mountainous regions of the Himalayan Kingdom. Next to come was a small dance drama depicting the illustrious life of Chandalika, of Buddha’s time. Woven around the theme of untouchability and social discrimination, the story ended with Chandalika’s complete transformation and surrender at the Feet of Lord Buddha. Chandalika lived with her mother. One day, as she was returning from the well carrying a potful of water, a handsome monk approached her asking for drinking water. Owing to ‘untouchability’ prevailing in the society, she hesitated for a while, before yielding to the monk’s relentless request. Later when she came to know of the monk’s identity, as Bikshu Ananda, the famous disciple of Lord Buddha, she became transfixed by his beauty and fell in love with him. When her mother brought the monk home one day, enamoured by infatuation she danced to attract the Bikshu. Bikshu remained nonplussed. Later Chandalika took refuge at Ananda’s ashram to become a monk. Following the tradition, she went back home seeking alms from mother. Shocked and dumbfounded, the mother wailed before giving alms. Even as Chandalika left the ashram, mother remained grief-stricken, crying in agony of separation. A Sherpa Dance by the Nepalese children followed next. This dance originated from the Northern Himalayan Region and is a common item during festivities and ceremonies of the Sherpas of the region. As the title suggests, ‘All Are One, Be Alike To Everyone’, was the depiction of Baba Buddha’s message of seeing everyone with the same eye as God dwells in everyone. The drama was presented in a comic style, airing the great good message of Buddha and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. Showcasing the protagonist, Dr Ji, who is overambitious, devoid of any values, the drama serves as a silent reminder to the modern men afflicted with greed and passion to relent from evil and unhealthy practices, to turn to join hands in serving the society. Dr Ji was highly ambitious and to fulfil his dreams nothing ever mattered or stopped him; he was into cheating while practising his medical profession. Serving reminders to save him, Lord Narada appears with sage wisdom to the erring medico. Blinded by his greed, Dr Ji paid no heed to the sage’s wisdom. Even as he fails and continues with his unhealthy practices, Narada with his celestial powers, brings his mother back from the heavens to enlighten her son of the need to lead a rightful life, rendering service to the society. The son who meet his mother for the first time offers her with all the luxuries; the mother in turn seeks three ornaments, a primary school and a hospital for the underdeveloped locality apart from asking him to get into serving the society. Dr Ji, the young, ambitious and ‘blinded’ son was not ready to budge. Here he cited reasons of lack of money to get into mother’s dream projects, as according to him, it would cost ‘a fortune’. Narada was left with no option than to use his final weapon. Now comes the final guest from the ‘heavens’, messenger of Lord Yama. After initial round of ridiculing and teasing, Dr Ji was convinced that his life was on the peril and he had no time left to redeem himself. At this point , when he was left with no hope of survival, he turned to prayer mode, falling on his knees. Responding to his sincere prayers, Buddha appeared with sage wisdom, advising him to correct his vision as – All Are One and thus Be Alike To Everyone was Buddha’s advice. Buddha redeemed him with extended life as Dr Ji was a transformed man, having leant his lesson the hard way. The presentation had an interlude scene, wherein Lord Buddha comes to save the life of a goat, that was to be sacrificed by the ill-affected men, in the name of liberation. The scene ended with the message of Samastha Jeevah Sukhino Bhavantu, as preached and practised by Baba. The drama ended with a dance to the tune of the famous song Maula…Maula…depicting various service activities being done under the auspices and guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. All the participants were presented with special gifts and prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage. Bhajans by students continued and ended with Sunday Special, Love Is My Form…in Baba's Divine Voice. Mangala Arathi was offered at 1900 hrs. marking the end of the session. Media Coordinator Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust Prasanthi Nilayam sourced: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/Announcements/CTPressRelease26May2013.html SRI SATHYA SAI MOBILE MEDICAL CAMP AT SMT KUMUDBEN VORA, BLIND SCHOOL, https://plus.google.com/photos/111385382170310950539/albums/5885635041080214961?authkey=CKvioKXJv8OSiAE#photos/111385382170310950539/albums/5885635041080214961 SAI VIDYARTHI 6TH ISSUE e-newsletter of TN Sai schools Loving Sairam. With the divine blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Saibaba, the 6th issue of Sai Vidyarthi - e-Newsletter of 9 Sai schools of Tamil Nadu has been released. ... Please find herewith the link: URL: http://www.sssieducare.org/newsletters/Sai-Vidyarthi-issue-6.pdf SHIRDI SAI AND SATHYA SAI ARE ONE AND THE SAME http://www.ssso.net/shirdi-sathya/shirdi.htm NAMASMARANA - THE SUPREME SADHANA http://www.ssso.net/namasmarana/nama.htm No God, No Miracles; Know God, Know Miracles >From Aravind Balasubramanya Dear all, ... When it comes to God and miracles, there is only one statement that sums up the two: "No God, No Miracles; Know God, Know Miracles!" That was the experience of the asst. Director at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (Bangalore), Praveen Vemula! (yesterday, I made a typo stating that he was asst Director of the Institute of Higher Learning! ) Having cleared the GRE with a top score sheerly by divine grace, he had no idea about the difficulties he was going to face as he prepared to leave for USA as per Swami's directions... But when one is following Swami's words, the whole universe will conspire to help the individual - even if it means working out miracles! Read on the exciting and miracle-filled second part of his odyssey... http://aravindb1982.blogspot.in/2013/06/no-god-no-miracles-know-god-know-sathya-sai-student.html BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI ASHTOTTARA SHATHA NAMAVALI (Mantras with Close Up Photos of Swami) This is a garland of 108 sacred names in praise of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, each describing one of His countless Divine attributes and powers. Each of these 108 sacred names begins ...with AUM SRI SAIand ends with the word NAMAHA, what does these four words signify? AUM: The chanting of each names starts with Aum which is the primordial sound from which the whole creation has emerged. All the sounds in the Universe are only waves or vibrations of this primeval sound which is therefore, considered most sacred. For the same reason, Aum represents and also symbolises the Brahman or the all-pervading Supreme Cosmic Consciousness itself. It is called 'Pranava mantra', Sacred syllable having spiritual significance and power. SRI: 'Sri' signifies the subtle beauty, charm and grace of auspiciousness embedded in the Divine. It also stands for the radiance of spiritual manifestation and power in any particular deity - goddess or god. SAI: 'Sai' is the composite form of 'Sa' indicating Sarveshwara the creator or Father of Creation and 'Ayi' indicating Shakti or the creative Energy or the Mother of creation. Thus, Sai is the embodiment of our Divine Father as well as Mother looking after our material welfare as well as our spiritual progress towards realizing the truth of our own divinity. NAMAHA: In common parlance, Namaha means 'my salutation or namaskaram'. Namaha has also a deeper significance, which is more relevant in these sacred names all of which end with this word. 'Na' means no, not, or nil. 'Ma' signifies delusion which makes one identify himself with the inert body (Ego) and, thereby, subjects him to ignorance, misery and death. 'Namaha', thus, signifies the surrender of one's ego to the - Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent God in recognition of the truth that we are also a part of that supreme reality. Each of these sacred names, therefore, ends in a note of reverence, salutations and surrender. Thus 'AUM SRI SAI', at the beginning of each name is intended to elevate our vision to the sublime glory of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai while 'Namaha' at the end of each name serves to awaken in us a spirit of reverence, humility and self-surrender to the Avatar of this Age. It is in this spirit that we have to chant each of the line in the following Namavali. http://www.ssso.net/108/ Video Padma Shri A. Hari Haran On the Occasion of 2nd Aradhana Mahotsav Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba & Mother Easwaramma Day, 4th May 2013 at Shanmukhananda Hall, Mumbai. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfk_S7B9tmg&feature=youtu.be -- --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "saimsg" group. 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