Meditation Tree @ 54 Saturday, June 29th, 2013 The spiritually potent, significant and blessed Banyan Tree in Prasanthi Nilayam, popularly known as Meditation Tree, turned 54 today. Commemorating the occasion a brief programme was organized at the venue this morning. The programme commenced with Veda chanting followed by 108 Ashtothara of Bhagawan, concluding with a brief spell of Bhajans and Mangala Arathi at 10:30 a.m. Sizeable number of devotees attended the 45 minute function.
Mentioning the significance of the Meditation Tree, Prof. Kasturi wrote in Sathyam Sivam Sundaram thus: The Banyan Tree that is growing in the grove has a peculiar sanctity of its own. In April of 1959, while talking one evening on the sands of the Chitravathi River to a gathering of devotees, Baba spoke of Buddha and the Bodhi tree, the “Tree of Wisdom,” and of the Sadhakas (spiritual aspirants) seeking some specially favorable spots for their austerities. Even as He was speaking thus, He “took” out from the sands a thick copper plate about fifteen inches by ten inches in size which contained mystic markings and letters of many known and unknown alphabets! He said that such mystic plates, cryptograms written on copper or stone, are planted under trees where aspirants engage in austerities so that they may be helped to develop concentration of mind and control of the senses. He announced that He would be placing the copper plate under a Banyan tree that He proposed to plant in the grove. This was actually done on the twenty-ninth of June, 1959, and Sai Baba declared that Yogis who have reached a certain stage of spiritual progress will automatically come to know of this tree and this mystic plate, and they will be drawn by the mysterious force of these toward the meditation grove which will then fully justify its name! …And here comes the Spiritual significance of the Tree, in Prof. Kasturi’s own words: The Banyan tree, known as Nyagrodha, “down-grown,” and Vatavriksha, “enclosure tree,” is famous in Indian sacred literature and history. Lord Maha Vishnu, the great God of Preservation, or Siva, God in the Form of the Guru, is described as sitting under a Banyan tree, and expounding by His very silence all knowledge to His disciple. This tree may be said to symbolize Sanathana Dharma, the Eternal Wisdom, for its branches reach out in all directions and draw sustenance from every type of faith and spiritual striving. It is also called Rahupada, “many-footed” in Sanskrit, for the series of roots that its branches send down toward the earth strike the ground and seek food therein and make the branches independent even of the parent trunk. The tree is therefore immortal. There are in India Banyan trees that have been worshipped for thousands of years, such as the one at Triveni at Prayag, Allahabad, or the one called Akshaya-vat, the “Indestructible,” at Gaya. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2013/06/meditation-tree-54/ � � � Watch Your Thoughts… Saturday, June 29th, 2013 Man, a rare species with the faculty to think and discriminate, often fails to look within, to view his inner personality, examining the dark side of his own thoughts. Does time spent in examining one’s own thoughts mean wasting precious life time? …or is it a worthwhile exercise?…Sri Shyam Juwale from Mumbai shares his thoughts based on invaluable tips received from Bhagawan… Thoughts come and go. This is a continu�ous process which goes on in every human mind from birth to death. No gap is left in between two thoughts. Very seldom do we wait and examine our own thoughts. Think�ing about our own thoughts really gives us an opportunity to look to our own image in our own mind. We are accustomed to look at our physical form in a mirror but we neglect to see the inner personality in our own mind. This is so because we are ashamed to examine the dark side of our own thoughts. I honestly feel that this is exactly where we need the divine guidance of Bhagawan Baba. I first met Bhagawan Baba at Brindavan, Bangalore, on May 27, 1963. I personally consider this day as the most precious day of my life. It is Baba Who first threw light on the weak side of my mind and gave me valuable instructions to improve the thoughts which are responsible for building up one’s career. Baba said that the time spent in examining our own thoughts does not mean wasting a valuable part of our precious life, but it really means we are testing our mind for our own good. He further advised me not to commit any mistake in this regard; the word `MISTAKE’ consists of two words, viz. ‘MIS’ (miss) and ‘TAKE’. He continued His advice and smilingly said that wherever and whenever we “miss” something, we necessar�ily have to “take” the consequence thereof. What a fine lesson for us human beings who generally never think about our thoughts. The interview on that day which lasted about an hour gave me a new look towards my personal life. I became conscious of the purpose of human life and attempted to do every little action with great care remember�ing Baba from moment to moment. I really find both pleasure and peace when I mentally get His Divine association. All cannot get Baba’s physical presence all through, but everybody can ensure His Omnipresence in one’s own heart by always keeping it unsul�lied and pure. His image is wiped out from there only when unworthy thoughts peep therein. In this respect it is my humble experience that when the mind takes refuge in the void between two thoughts, the heavenly joy that I get can never be found anywhere. For this valuable experience, one should be able to see or locate where one thought ends and the other is yet to begin. It is exactly like resting the mind in between the recital of two Omkars. Finally, I am of the opinion that the treas�ury of noble thoughts that one possesses is more precious than any other treasure in the world. One should be ever vigilant to allow only noble thoughts in the mind, strictly refusing entry to all bad thoughts. When one carries out this hard and difficult task, one can adhere to the following advice which Bhagawan Baba gives in His discourses and personal interviews very often: Be Good, Do Good and See Good. This is the way to God. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II � sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2013/06/watch-your-thoughts/ � � Om Sri Sai Sadhakaanugraha Vata Vriksha Pratishtaapakaaya Namah Saturday, June 29th, 2013 The Supreme Sage of Puttaparthi, the Banyan Tree planted by the Ultimate Divine Hands turns 54 today. Counting on the profundity of the mysterious mystic touch of the supreme-most Avatar, one remains dazed wondering, watching this most tranquil ‘avatar’ of Parthi, conferring meditative bliss to seekers-earnest at the behest of Master Of All Masters, God Of All Gods, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, acting as His potent tool. Paying rich tributes to this meditative wonder of Parthi, as Sri Jullie Chaudhuri sings paens of praise to this Little Master, let’s all join drowsing into the legend of this meditative wonder of God’s Ultimate Earthly Abode. The Holy Tree…Turns Fifty Four… Om Sri Sai Sadhakaanugraha Vata Vriksha Pratishtaapakaaya Namah Salutations to the One Who planted a sacred Banyan tree for the benefit of spiritual seekers… So much to learn from the life of a tree, How to give, give, give, And to live, Oh! So selflessly, All trees are extremely special, you see, This much I do affirm, Firmly believe and know, Yet, this particular one at the Prasanti Tapovanam, Was blessed with spiritual powers to be above all, more so… Perhaps in keeping with the flow, It wouldn’t be out of context to state, Oft some did ponder and contemplate, As to which illumined beings did this place frequent, With a complete focus on the soul’s ascent, Sages and Masters and illumined beings, Those who choose to remain unseen, Not visible to the human eye, Yet being channelled and guided by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai… Through the chronicles of history, If we but peak, We will know this ‘Vriksha’ to be, Ever so unique, Blessed indeed was this tree, To receive that touch of immense grace, Its origin if at all one does attempt to trace, Going on to stumble upon a remarkable discovery, That the Lord personally, Gave it a firm base, Surely this fact does volumes bespeak, This mighty Banyan was planted by Beloved Bhagawan, To enhance the concentration, Of all those, Who did and do…a deeper meaning to life seek… Let us stroll down the lanes of times gone by, Transport ourselves to the banks of the sacred Chitravathi, Soak in that enchanting mid-summer evening wondrously, With great awe upon the sandy banks espy, Chance upon a young and enigmatic Sathya Sai, Talking animatedly to a gathering of many a devotee, Declaring the date to be, As auspicious as auspicious can be, The day of Vaisakha Purnima, Celebrating birth, nirvana and pari-nirvana, Descent, enlightenment, And an emancipation from the ‘samsara’, An extinction from all that relates to the worldly, Truly a sacro-sanct memoir, A triple anniversary, Of the Awakened One – Gautama Buddha… ‘But, why did Buddha have to go so far, To that particular ‘Bodhi’…this ancient fig tree?’ Asked someone from the gathering earnestly, The Beloved One did give a reply, That swept any and every doubt away, Let us hear just what He did say, Sage words that did flow and convey - There are certain mystic yanthras, Over which such trees do grow, While keeping evil forces at bay, They stimulate spiritual impulses, And aid concentration in a marvellous way, The mind thus well defined then loses its inclination to stray… Knowing that spiritual aspirants were distressed, For want of just such a place, The Compassionate Master in an act of incredible grace, >From the shimmering sands did create, A shining copper plate, Embossed with mystical syllables and divine inscriptions, Esoteric and eternal, Completely beyond description, A mantra most exalted, Come what may, it could never be faulted, Nor its energy, vigour and force ever be halted… Then, stating further, Lord Sai did communicate to all, That in Tapovanam, He would this plate install, Hands most divine, sacred and holy, Went on to plant a sapling, you see, That now, oh, so wide-spread banyan tree, Was planted by Dearest Swami personally… It would augment concentration and meditation too, The power of the yantra, Would give all earnest seekers their due, Engravings cryptic, imperceivable and inscrutable, That would lead an aspirant to a domain transcendental, And as for those Yogis and renunciates, Who have reached a pinnacle of spiritual practice, They would be drawn to this tree to further their bliss, To this Tapovanam they will hurry, Intuitively aware that they would benefit immensely, >From this tree’s mystical potency… So it is, dear sisters and brothers, That our Beloved One is thus adored, you see, And hailed as - Aum Sri Sai Sadhakaanugraha Vata Vriksha Prathistaapakaaya Namah, He Who is Pratishtapaka - The Person Who planted firmly, The Vata Vriksha – the banyan tree of Shiva as Dakshinamurthy, As an Anugraha – a boon to many a Sadhaka… When Bhagawan did enact the role of Sri Rama, In the era of Treta, He was known as Sadhakamaarga Kalpatharu - The wish fulfilling tree for sadhakas, Now, in this age of Kali too, The self-same Rama as Lord Sathya Sai, Is once again satisfying the pure desires of all aspirants, For they all do on His grace rely, For a sanctified spot from whence they can with ease, Their inner-self please, In peace and quiet going on to experience the Whole, The oh, so holy Banyan tree, That turns fifty three, For decades has played a most significant role, To help heighten, advance and assist, Those who persevere and aspire to attain their goal, For it is so blessed by the Lord’s Intent, Will and Supreme Energy, After all for just such a purpose, It has been planted so by our Beloved Swami… II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2013/06/om-sri-sai-sadhakanugraha-vata-vriksha-pratishtapakaaya-namah/ -- When my arms cannot reach people who are close to my heart, I always hug them with my prayers http://www.ssso.net http://www.dharmakshetra.org.in http://www.facebook.com/DeepakBharwani/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dharmakshetra/321631187878650 -- --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "saimsg" group. 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