Universal Prayer

May the wicked turn good;

May the good attain peace;

May the peaceful be freed from all bondage and

May the liberated redeem others.

May everybody be happy;

May everybody be free from disease;

May everybody have good luck;

May none fall on evil days.

May everybody surmount difficulties;

May everybody have good fortune;

May everybody realise his ambitions;

May everybody rejoice everywhere.

- Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji

A Thought

Nothing can harm one who feels himself one with all.

-          Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

 

Contents

  1. Editorial (First Word)
  2. Baba's Omniscience
  3. Significance of Udhi
  4. Power of Guru
  5. Installation of the Lord
  6. Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
  7. Blesses and Facilitates Darshan of Swami Sivananda
  8. Universal Panacea
  9. Beyond Body, Mind and Intellect
  10. Significance of Mahasamadhi Day Celebrations

 

By Guru's Grace every felicity (Good) relating to the soul is obtained. Hence, take Guru ought to be worshipped for one's own good. May Baba bless you all with contentment and peace throughout the New Year.

'Jai Sri Sai Ram'

 

Editorial

First Word

Discrimination and prejudice for someone are born primarily out of physical and mental distinctions. A fat boy and a thin boy, an intelligent person and a moron, a rich man and a poor man - all shape radical attitudes or dislike in a person. In high school, students are very sensitive to these issues. In societies, these physical aberrations foment quarrels and wars. And in the Spiritual path, such discrepancies taint one's mind and vision in perceiving other brother devotees.

 

To overcome this curse of discrimination, one has to strive to focus on the common elements. That, which is out rightly wrong or evil is not worthy of sympathy. However, when the distinctions are physical or related to mental acumen, one should dwell upon the common features. At the time of opening Sai Vidyalaya in 1955, next to All India Sai Samaj, at Mylapore, Chennai, in his benedictory address, Sri Narasimha Swamiji drew two circles on a blackboard. He labeled one-circle 'boys' and the other 'girls'. Swamiji pointed to the area where the two circles overlapped and said, "Now this is the part of the circles that is the same. There are common things between both boys and girls. Tell me, what they are."

 

The children burst out enthusiastically, "we all smile", "we all cry", "we all fight", "we all play" and the list was endless. Then Swamiji drew three circles on the board and labeled them "black", "white", and "yellow". Again he pointed to the part where all the three circles intersected, and said: "This is the part common to all three circles. It contains everything that black, white and yellow have in common. What should we put in there?"

 

Again the children's list was never ending. Finally, one student looked at all the circles on the board and said, "The part where the circles come together is top small. We need more room for all the things we have in common."

 

Sri Narasimha Swamiji was immensely pleased and patted the boy:-"You are right, my boy. People are more right than they are different." He called upon the children to develop the attitude of 'World is one'.

 

We pray for the eternal grace of Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji as we enter the year 2002.

 

Happy 2002 to you all!

A happy 2002 to every one of our esteemed readers of 'Saipadananda' and all Sai Brothers and Sai Sisters.

 

It is our earnest prayer to TRINITY - Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to pour their grace on every one of us and, holding our hands lead us to them and keep us ever close to their hearts.

 

In the New Year, let us ponder for a while and examine ourselves. Let us ask ourselves: "Have I become a little better than I was in the last year? Have I achieved the spiritual goals I had aspired to attain? Have I become a blessing to some who cross the pathway of my life? Have I been raised in my own eyes? In the New Year, under the grace of Sai Baba and Swamijis, let me learn how to win over every opposition, to turn a difficult situation into an opportunity and to transform my own negative qualities into strengths."

Beloved Guru Bandhus - with one hand clasp Sai Baba and with the other serve as many as you can on the rough road of life.

 

 

Once again, BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY 2002

 

Baba's Omniscience

By Sri Narasimha Swamiji

Baba once assured His devotees - "My eye is ever on those who love Me," and, "whatever you do, wherever you may be, ever bear this in mind that I am always aware of everything". What a great solace and a source of confidence to His devotees, and yet what an effective check on their evil propensities! Baba more than sufficiently proved, time and again, the literal truth of His statement.

 

In December 1915, one Balaram Mankar went to the house of his friend, Mr. Tarkhad, a devotee of Baba, and told him that he was going to Shirdi and asked the members whether they had any message for Baba. Mrs. Tarkhad, who was very much devoted to Baba wanted to send him some gift. She searched the whole house for some token of her devotion, but found nothing but a piece of milk-cake (pedha), which was already offered to Sai Baba's picture in the shrine. Such a thing is generally considered unworthy of being offered a second time. But not having anything else in her possession, she hoped that Baba would care more for the spirit of love with which she was sending it than for the thing sent. What is more, Balaram was in the period of mourning consequent on the death of his father and such a one is usually considered impure and unfit to take such a holy gift. But the lady hoped that Baba would even overlook this hurdle in view of her pure faith in him.

 

Balaram took the pedha with him to Shirdi, but in his hurry to see Sai Baba, forgot to take it to Him. He took Baba's darshan with his own offerings. Baba knew of the story of the pedha but waited for Balaram to recollect it of his own accord. However, when Balaram visited Baba in the afternoon, he again forgot to take the pedha with him. Baba threw a hint to him by asking, "What did you bring for me from Bandra?" "Nothing", said Balaram, for he remembered nothing of it. Baba repeated His question again a little later, but got no better reply. At last finding Balaram hopelessly short of memory, Baba said: "Did not the mother Tarkhad give you some sweetmeat for Me at the time of your departure?" The young man remembered the whole thing, felt ashamed of his negligence, begged Baba's pardon, ran to his lodging and brought the pedha.. Baba eagerly received it and ate it at once. All the love and devotion of the lady were fully reciprocated by Baba.

 

There is M.W Pradhan's account of Baba's omniscience in his own words: "While starting (i.e. on his visit to Shirdi I had provided myself with three or four gold sovereigns ('guineas', as they were called) and some currency notes. I got a note changed so that I might be able to give silver rupees when Baba asks for dakshina. I had twenty rupees in cash and the rest in notes. There, at the moment of our arrival, Baba was standing at the Lendi, as though He was waiting for us. So we at once got down and bowed to Him....I took all the flowers, garlands and fruits to the Masjid to garland Baba and gave Him all the presents. When I looked quietly into His face and eyes, I felt confirmed that Baba is really a great saint and said within myself, ‘Thank God, I have come’...Baba asked me for dakshina. Instead of giving Him silver coins as I had intended at Kalyan, I gave Him gold. I put a sovereign in His hand. Baba received it, turned it in His palm.........thrice and asked “Noolkar, 'What is this? What is its worth?' And he (i.e. Noolkar) replied, 'It is worth fifteen rupees'. Then Baba returned the coin to me saying, "I do not want this. Keep it and give me fifteen rupees'. I then gave Baba fifteen silver rupees. Then Baba took the fifteen, counted them over and over and professed to find only ten rupees in what I gave Him and said, 'Here is only Rs. 10/-. Give Me Rs. 5/ - more!' I meekly accepted Baba's declaration and gladly gave Him the other Rs. 5/- in my pocket. Baba was obviously aware that the Rs. 20/- in my pocket was intended for Him and expressly got it paid to Him; and under cover of wrong calculation was carrying out my intention to place that sum at his feet. After I gave Him Rs. 20/- on that occasion, He did not ask for more though I had a lot more in notes with me."

 

Significance of Udhi

By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

Udhi, obtained from Dhuni and lit by Shri Sai Baba in Dwarakamai at Shirdi during His life time, is not a mere by-product of wood (ash) but a life saving drug. During His life time, Baba used this udhi for curing various diseases of His devotees. Baba once sent this udhi along with Aarati song through BapugirBua to Nana Saheb Chandorkar, a beloved devotee of Baba, when his daughter Mainatai, about to deliver, was in a critical condition, suffering from labour pains for three days at Jamner, a place 100 miles from Shirdi. After taking udhi mixed with water, she had an easy delivery.

 

Baba applied udhi on the affected portion of a boy (nephew of a qualified doctor), who was suffering from tubercular bone-abscess for a long time, and after its constant application, the boy became quite well. Once, a doctor devotee of Baba at Shirdi suffered from guinea worms and by the application of udhi, by taking it with water and without taking any other medicine, the disease was completely cured in ten days.

 

At another time, the wife of Bapaji (young brother of Shyam) was attacked with Bubonic plague and high fever at Sawool, a village 3 miles from Shirdi. Baba sent udhi through Bapaji and his wife was completely cured within hours. Similarly, an Irani gentleman's daughter suffered from fits and all medicines were tried, which gave her no relief. Her father obtained udhi from Baba's devotee, Kaka Saheb Dixit, and gave it to his daughter mixed with water daily for sometime and she recovered completely afterwards.

 

An old gentleman of Harda (Madhya Pradesh) was suffering from a stone in his bladder. He was too old to withstand any surgical operation. His son, on the advise of some friends, obtained udhi from Inamdar, a devotee of Baba and a resident of the same town and mixing it with water gave it to his father for drinking. The stone was dissolved and came out in urine and the old man was soon relieved of the malady.

 

The above are only a few cases, where udhi was tried, used and applied, when Baba was in flesh and blood at Shirdi. Even after Baba's samadhi, udhi is now being used as a medicine in several diseases and is found out as the most effective medicine and efficacious cure.

 

Baba's grace is as much active during the present days as before samadhi, that udhi's power is far superior and greater and more reliable than medicines of any system- Allopathy,  Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy etc. In a nutshell, Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi is as much alive today as when he was in Dwarakamai in flesh and blood.

It is still more surprising and astonishing to note that Narayana Motirarn Jani of Nasik, a staunch devotee of Baba, tried a pinch of the ashes of joss-sticks burning in front of Baba's picture, and chanting Baba's name applied it on the seat of the sting, in case of a scorpion-bite of a person and the pain disappeared in no time. Jani had to resort to this course, when he did not have ready stock of Baba's Udhi in his house.

 

Nana Saheb Chandorkar, another beloved devotee of Baba, when he had no stock of udhi readily available with him, took some soil from the roadside and applied it on the fore-head of his wife at Thana railway station; this miraculously cured the lady. This mysterious and miraculous cure in the above two cases can also be ascribed to the genuine faith, intense devotion and earnest prayer of the two devotees.

 

Baba taught by His udhi that all the visible phenomena in the world are as transient as the ash. After all, our bodies are composed of five elements and are subject to decay after death. They will be reduced to ashes after death. Baba wanted to din into the ears of His devotees, the sense of discrimination between the Unreal and the Real and non-attachment for the Unreal by udhi. Apart from this spiritual significance, it had also conferred health, prosperity, freedom from anxiety and many other worldly gains before, and even now it is yielding good results to the devotees, in material and spiritual field. Undoubtedly, it is a Sanjeevani in Kaliyuga, which was tried by devotees at various places and times both before and after Baba's samadhi and found it an omnibus cure for all maladies-physical as well as spiritual.

 

Permanent feature

Saipadananda - January 2002

Power of Guru

(From the glorious life of Saint Haridas of Purl)

By Dr. G.R. Vijayakumar

A clerk or an officer earns money by taking bribes, and when his conscience pricks him he feeds some Brahmins and says: "I have done a great duty today. I have fed fifteen Brahmins and given ten cents each." This is his idea of duty. He further adds: "Why should I take Sanyasa and practice Yoga? I will earn lots of money and do charity. This is the best kind of life". Poor deluded soul! May God give him good understanding!

- Swami Sivananda

 

Manohar Chakraborthy and Ujivala Devi gave birth to a son in 1450 in a remote village Bhat-Kolagachi in Jessore, Bengal. That child was Haridas. Manohar passed away when Haridas was only two years old and his pious wife committed Sati. Orphaned, the beautiful little Haridas was taken away by a Muslim family during a communal tussle. The foster parents took care of him well and wanted him to learn Arabic, Persian etc., but Haridas loved to read the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. Haridas grew up to be a handsome young man. But his mind was always immersed in God. He ran away from the house. He repeated Hari's name with great devotion always. He ate what fate brought him. He resorted to lonely places and always wandered from one place to another.

 

He came to Nadiya and met Advaitacharya, a well-known devotee. He was astounded to see the towering personality in Haridas. Ignoring the caste problems of his times, Advaitacharya embraced Haridas and began to treat him like a Brahmin. Advaitacharya initiated Haridas into Krishna mantra. And he started reciting at least 3,00,000 times a day. Seeing his Guru suffering at the hands of chaste Hindus, Haridas left Nadia and went to Fulia. At Fulia, one landlord by name Khan put him to test. He sent a dancer to spoil his devotion. But the dancer was thrilled to listen to his loud repetition of the Lord's name and she herself became a great devotee.

 

Fate led Haridas to Shantipur and here the then king Hussein Shah tortured Haridas for worshipping Hindu God. He told the King, "He who is Rama is also Rahim. Hindus and Muslims are one and the same. The Bhagavan of the Hindus and the Khuda of Muslims is one and the same. The difference is only in the name but God is one". Hussein Shah was not convinced and he gave him maximum torture. But Haridas prayed: - "O, Hari! Forgive these ignorant people! They are not committing any sin. Please forgive them".

 

Haridas escaped from the Muslim King and arrived in Puri. Here he met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and was thrilled at his darshan. Having been brought up in a Muslim family, Haridas would not enter the temple of Jagannatha. So he stood at a distance and shed tears of joy at the very thought of Sri Chaitanya. He fell on the ground and began to rub his face on the mud. Sri Chaitanya rushed towards him and embraced him. What is more, Chaitanya exclaimed: - "by touching your holy person, I have become pure".

 

Haridas settled down at the flower garden in Puri. He spent his days in japa and kirtans. He would not eat anything until he had repeated Hari's name 3, 00,000 times.

 

It was the year 1534, the last day of his life had come. Haridas was worried lest he should pass away without completing his daily japa. Hundreds of devotees had assembled and Sri Chaitanya himself was present. Haridas completed his daily routine and lay down. He went on looking at the holy face of Sri Chaitanya and finally merged in the Eternity. Sri Chaitanya became grave for some time. He then lifted the holy person of Haridas and began to dance. The ecstatic dance continued for a long time. Haridas was laid to rest at the same place where his little hut was situated. Today, this place is a pilgrim centre in Puri.

 

Words

A group of devotees at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre were absorbed in a discussion of Lao Tzu's dictum:

"Those who know do not say those who say do not know." When Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji entered the hall, they asked him exactly what the words meant. Swamiji took a rose and asked: "Do you know the fragrance of a rose." All of them knew. Then he said, "Put it into words." All of them were silent.

 

Discipline

To a devotee who wanted to know what sort of meditation he practiced each morning near a Parijatha plant in the compound of Sri Sai Spiritual Centre. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji said, "When I look carefully I see the flowers in full bloom."

Devotee: "Why would one have to look carefully to see the plant?"

Swamiji replied: "Lest one see, not the Parijatha tree, but one's preconception of it."

 

A dip in Sahasranama - 43

Installation of the Lord

By Dr. H. Janardhana Acharya

Rituals start with a beautiful function - the installation of the Lord in the devotee's own physical form. This is technically called as Anga-Nyaasa and Kara-Nyaasa. The "Installation in the Limbs" and the "Installation in the Palms". This is a method by which the seeker with willful thoughts and deliberate physical signs sanctifies him to be a Divine Temple and installs various sacred deities in himself.

 

This helps to realize that though he is worshipping the Lord as an Ideal other than himself, in fact, he is to seek his identity with no traces of differentiation between himself and the Lord. The final realization is a perfect identity "I am Brahman" (Aham Brahmaasmi).

 

This "Installation Ceremony" declares to the devotees that the enchanting form of Vishnu is to be ultimately realized as One Infinite Reality without names or forms - in which the recognition of even the distinction of the meditator – meditated - meditation is to cease. Beside this deep significance, the student is also given a temporary sense of purity and sanctity in himself. Just as a devotee feels highly inspired in the divine atmosphere of a sacred temple, so too, after the Anga-Nyaasa, however shattered we might have been, before we entered the Pooja-room, we can artificially work ourselves up into a divine mood of peace and purity.

 

The body itself is rendered as the temple of the Lord, wherein the various limbs become the altars upon which, with a heart of love and faith, the devotee invokes and installs various deities. In this process, in order to bring the full blast of the sacred suggestions to him, the repetition of each of these mantras is emphasized by a corresponding physical sign. The idea is only, to establish the correct mood for devoted contemplation.

 

Great mantras of deep spiritual significance and sublime Vedic dignity are not mere poetic compositions by mortal fallible intellects. When a master mind through meditation transcends the lower levels of his personality and soars into the higher mental altitudes, through his contemplation, there he 'receives' certain 'revelations', which are faithfully repeated by him to the world. Such 'heard' statements (Srutam) alone have the power to stand against the onslaught of the intellect, the ravages of time, and the forces of criticism, etc.

 

"We meditate upon the Master of the Universe, Lord Vishnu, who is ever Peaceful, who lies on the great serpent-bed, from whose navel springs the Lotus of the Creative Power, who is saantaakaram bhujaga sayanam padmanaabham suresam etc., controller of the Gods, whose Form is the entire universe, who is All-Pervading as the sky, of the hue of the cloud, of fascinating beauty, the Lord of Lakshmi, the Lotus-eyed, He who dwells in the hearts of the yogis and who can be approached and perceived through meditation, He who is the destroyer of the fear of Samsar."

 

This is the meditation upon the Form of the Lord. Visualizing Him thus in His, All-Comprehensive nature, and meditating upon Him, the seeker starts the Sahasranama Stotram.

 

New Sai Temple in Village near Tiruchi

A spacious and beautiful Shirdi Sai Baba Temple has come into being at Mekkudi Village, 18 Kms from Tiruchi town, on the Varalimalai-Madurai route. The Kumbabhishekam was held on October 26 in the presence of a huge gathering of devotees. Vedic and Sastric rituals were conducted on the preceding days.

Four Aratis and Poojas are conducted as in Shirdi. Sri K.V. Ramani, Shirdi Sai Trust, Smt. M. Meenakshisundaram, Managing Trustee, Sri R. Radhakrishnan of Hubli and Sri V. S. Kuber of Akanda Sai Nama Sapthaha Trust, were among those present.

 

Annadhana, medical camps for the blind and the deaf and a home for the aged will also be undertaken by the Trustees before long.

 

Sri Sai Spiritual Centre is very happy that a big Sai Temple has come up in the district of its own Founder-Patron, Sri Radha Krishna Swamiji, who hails from Poyyamani village.

 

Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

24.12.1974:

By Prof. R. Narayana lyengar

(Continued from the previous issue)

In the evening after the bhajans, almost all the devotees have returned home. Puttanna, his wife Sumitra and Raghu prasad are sitting very near Swamiji and conversing with him. Swamiji is telling "Hey, did you notice how auspicious is tomorrow. Vaikunta Ekadashi, Ramzan and Christmas are on the same day! It is a nice day for Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Tomorrow, let us also repeat Vishnusahasranama as many times as possible. Come early in the morning. Will you...? While talking like this, the power has failed, and it has become suddenly pitch dark, so much so one cannot see the face of the other. Slowly the eyes are getting adjusted to the darkness, even as the diffused light of the stars and the moon has created an ambience of mystical haziness inside the hall.

 

Swamiji is continuing: "Sai Baba was dear to all. He had Hindu, Muslim, Parsi and Christian devotees. In the end, all of us go to the one single God only, why quarrel here about this... Narasimha Swamiji started an organization in His (Baba's) name. What more is required in life than to work under the banner of such a broad hearted saint? Somehow, that has also continued till date... One thing is certain; without God's will (Ichha), no institution will survive..." The conversation in darkness is giving a special feeling of closeness to Swamiji.

 

"Swamiji, how did Narasimha Swamiji get attracted to Baba? Even though he had not met Baba physically, how could he get such faith to start an institution in Baba's name?"

Swamiji is not answering the question directly, but is continuing in his own way." When Swamiji, was meditating there (Shirdi) a person went to him and offered ten thousand rupees. Swamiji had renounced everything and he wondered why this new bondage. He decided to spend the money there itself and donated the sum to Shirdi Sansthan, but strangely enough they refused to accept the money under some pretext. Then, he intuitively realised that the money has come to him for Sai Prachar work only and later he founded Sai Samaj."

 

"That is right, Swamiji, but all this was later only. But without having seen him, how did he get so much of love for Baba in the first place? Swamiji, I am really very surprised." Swamiji appears to be pondering about some matter, before responding in a very soft and sweet tone.

 

"What shall I say, my boy! That, for which people come to this path and do Sadhana, that experience called Brahmananda, it is said, Swamiji obtained there."

 

Suddenly the few people around have become strangely silent. It is as though the affectionate but crisp and powerful answer of Swamiji has cast a spell on his listeners. The deep stillness all around is palpable. After a minute or two, Swamiji himself is continuing." If Swamiji (Sri Narasimha Swamiji) were not there, perhaps Baba's existence would not have been widely known outside Maharashtra. In the time of Baba, a few persons in Maharashtra knew about him. But who was Baba, from where he came, what were his antecedents? Swamiji collected a lot of information from Rege, Avasthi and others to discover that Baba was the disciple of Gopalarao, popularly known as Venkusa. Swamiji then went to Shelu, the village of Venkusa to make enquiries from the local people in that place. The grandson of Venkusa was living there at that time. Based on all the information so collected, Swamiji concluded that Baba was born to a Brahmin couple, belonging to a village called Pathri. Since His parents died while he was very young, a Muslim fakir brought Him up. In a few years time the fakir also passed away. But before his death, it seems the fakir had asked his followers to leave the boy to the care of Gopalrao Deshmukh (Venkusa) of Shelu village. Accordingly, Baba came to the protection of Venkusa."

 

"Swamiji, in the life history of Baba, it is written that Venkusa was Ramananda and Baba was Kabir."

 

"Yes, it is said like that. Venkusa once heard a voice your disciple is coming to you or something to that effect. He was an ardent devotee of Venkatesha of Tirupati. He would worship Venkatesha daily in the traditional manner. In that town there is a temple for Venkatesha. I have visited that place. The temple is very nice, even though it is small. Do you know how the idol kept there was obtained? Venkusa, before leaving his body had told the people around 'search thoroughly the place of my cremation.' However none took this seriously. It is after some time some of the disciples recollected his words and excavated the place where his body was cremated. To their surprise they found a beautiful idol of Venkatesha."

 

After a few minutes of silence, Puttanna is very politely asking "Swamiji, how did you get attracted to Baba?"

Swamiji has started describing his days in Ooty. "It was sometime in 1942, Narasimha Swamiji came to Ooty. A committee had been formed to receive him. His evening lecture was arranged to be held in a school. The organizers, having made all arrangements, were waiting on the main street to receive Swamiji formally and to take him to the venue with due respects. That evening I was on my way to see a movie."

 

The conversation has stopped, since in the meanwhile Subbaramiah's daughter has come and is eager to talk to Swamiji. Subbaramiah is very ill and this has caused concern. Swamiji is being requested to visit his house. It is already 9.30 but Swamiji has agreed to visit Subbaramiah. Raghu prasad is taking leave of Swamiji. Puttanna is going home to return after sometime and will be accompanying Swamiji to Subbaramiah's place. It is still dark with no electric lamps. Swamiji is sitting on his chair looking at Baba.

 

"Swamiji, please continue…. in Ooty, that day you had planned to see a movie..." "Yes that day I was on my way to see the film David Livingstone. I only knew that some Swami was coming to Ooty that evening. My friends on the committee, who were standing in the street, requested me to stay in the school building that was on a bye-lane. I told them that I have to go to a movie. They requested 'please be there for ten minutes, till we bring Narasimha Swamiji.' I agreed to help my friends with this arrangement and was waiting at the school expecting my friends to relieve me soon. But, surprisingly Swamiji came to the school soon. But instead of taking the scheduled route he took a different route. As soon as he came, he started talking to me. He obviously mistook me to be one of the organizers and began enquiring about the arrangements! He asked 'is everything ready?' I was in a fix. I could not commit one way or other! I said all arrangements have been done.”

 

Also I told Swamiji that many people were waiting to receive him on the main street. 'Oh, never mind, the bus was delayed. To make up for the lost time, I took a different route. Now it is nearing 6.30, I want everything to be done at the right time. I do not like to delay any further. Are you ready?' he asked. I said ‘yes’ without realizing the full purport of this statements. Immediately he opened his bag and took out a photo of Baba and placed it on a chair close by. Then only I understood that he expected me to do pooja to Baba. I hesitated and requested him to excuse me by saying 'I am in this attire wearing a suit, at least I should have been in a dhoti...'

 

Swamiji simply laughed away the situation by telling 'Oh, it does not matter at all. Baba never looks at the external details. What He wants is the inner mind... you do the pooja.' I had not known fully who this Baba was. Still I did not like to disown my friends by refusing to do the pooja. I could also see that the person asking me to do the pooja was himself a venerable saint. Caught in the midst of this somewhat comic situation, I did the pooja even as Swamiji said the archana. Afterwards I did the mangala arathi also. Of course in the meanwhile the committee members came to the school and were surprised to see what was happening.

 

"I accompanied Swamiji, on his way back to the bus stand. I think Swamiji was staying with his son who was in a nearby town. On the way, while we were talking casually, I mentioned a longstanding doubt of mine. I said, 'Swamiji, I have a peculiar feeling that the name a person gets in this world has a deeper meaning behind it. I want to know this. I have been named Radhakrishna, but I do not know the meaning of this clearly.' Narasimha Swamiji thought for a while and responded, 'if you are really eager to know the meaning of Radhakrishna, I will let you know but, for this you have to come and stay at Madras.' This became a point of attraction for me. In a few days time, I went to Madras to stay near Swamiji. In those days I used to stay in a room in Thambuchetty Street. Slowly the mind began to savour this type of life and I got firmly established on this path. I was inclined towards the spiritual path from my younger days. This grew up very well under the tutelage of Swamiji. I had a job at the Madras Race Club and I resigned that position. But at the suggestion of Swamiji, I worked first as an auditor and later as a director of the Mylapore Permanent Fund."

 

"Swamiji, did your people not force you to return home?"

"Yes, they did. Many times they argued with me about this. Narasimha Swamiji also intervened. But I was firm and adamant. Finally with no other way for them, they had to give up their efforts to take me home. Any way they knew that from my childhood I was deeply interested in a spiritual life... Some time in 1952, Swamiji asked me to proceed to Bangalore. I came to Bangalore then and was staying in the Cantonment area. Later I shifted to that room in NR colony. Now I am continuing here. What more shall I say! I know nothing; the Lord Himself is running His work. But, let me reveal, I have had all the divine blissful experiences, one expects on this path.

 

At Madras while staying near Swamiji, I used to constantly meditate on Krishna. Many days I would be desperate and cry to Radha 'Oh, Amma! you have to show Him soon.' One day, not have seen Krishna, I was in a miserable condition in that mood, sitting alone on the terrace of the apartment, where I was staying. I suddenly saw a bright light in the sky without any forewarning. I perceived, gradually that light to be none other than Radha. She was waving her hand as though writing something by her side. Little by little I recognized that to be Krishna Himself. Then both of them stood in front of me hugging each other, putting their arms on each other's shoulders, like you see in the idol here.

 

"On another day, I saw the whole sky fill up with all the thirty-three crore Gods. The peculiarity was, on both the occasions I was fully aware of myself and of this world also. I had these visions with my eyes open only. Do you know where all this ended up... in Rama! That Radhakrishna has come here and is now staying here."

"Swamiji, but how you got convinced of this path?"

 

"You see, Baba is a very large-hearted saint. This is certain, is it not? Once while I was in Mylapore (Madras) with Swamiji, Baba told me patthaipadi (read the tenth). I am not clear whether this was a dream or a vision. I was under the impression Baba referred to the Tenth Book (Dashama Skandha) of Bhagavatha and I was reading the same. But one day Narasimha Swamiji hearing my experience interpreted that Baba wanted me to read the Tenth Chapter that is the famous Vibhuti Yoga of Bhagavad-Gita. Only after I heeded to the advice of Narasimha Swamiji and read the tenth chapter, I had the above experience. When I beheld all the Gods in the sky with open eyes, I was convinced that Baba is a powerful saint. Upon this reflection, I had an urge to know Him also. Then all the Gods got erased and I saw Baba only. After sometime, He also moved away and in His place I beheld the clear form of Sri Rama only."

 

Swamiji seldom talks about himself and on the rare occasions he does, he tells very little of his personal experiences. Today, it is our good fortune he has revealed so much to us. He is in an expansive and graceful mood. His eyes are glistening strangely in the darkness, as though he is again seeing Baba and Sri Rama.

 

"You see, Baba did not say ' I am Rama'. He just showed Rama. I thought 'this indicated Baba is a very great Rama bhaktha'. In the life history of Sai Baba you might have read about his eagerness to observe Rama Navami. Also whenever He saw a temple for Maruthi, He would jump up in ecstasy. If you put all these things together, what is it you infer? Let us take Him as Rama or as Hanuman or as a devotee of Rama; it does not matter, how we interpret Him, but we can be sure of great benefits by following Him... The thing which impressed me most was He did not claim to be Rama. This is the inherent characteristic of a true Bhaktha. From these experiences I got a lot of courage and conviction to move on this path. I think, I have told you about the visit of Narayan Maharaj of Bet to Ooty in 1927. Narasimha Swamiji also had his contact. It was Narayan Maharaj who encouraged Narasimha Swamiji to go to Shirdi. It was he who initiated me into Dattamantra.. You know that Sai Baba is believed to be a manifestation of Dattatreya. All these points fitted amongst themselves in a peculiarly neat manner to convince me that Baba's path is my path also."

(to be continued…………..)

 

Text Box: Swami Shantananda visits Sri Sai Spiritual Centre

H.H. Sri Shantananda of Vashishta Guha (Himalayas) visited Sri Sai Spiritual Centre on 5th September, 2001. He was received by the office-bearers and members along with a large number of devotees with Poorna-Kumbha.

 

The Swamiji gave a fine discourse on the significance of Vishnu Sahasranama and its efficacy.

 

He was welcomed by Sri S. Syama Rao, who introduced him to the gathering. His article on Vishnu Sahasranama appears elsewhere in this issue.

 

Impoverishment

When an American visitor came to Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji asked him, "What are you seeking?"

Visitor: "Enlightenment."

Swamiji: "You have your own treasure house. Why do you search outside?"

Visitor: "Where is my treasure house?"

Swamiji: "This seeking that has come upon you."

His face became radiant. From then onwards he would say to his friends, "open your own treasure house and enjoy your treasures."

 

Sovereignty

A sadhaka sought enlightenment but did not know what it was or how it was attainable.

Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji said: "It cannot be attained. You cannot get hold of it."

Seeing the sadhaka's downcast look Swamiji said, "Don't be distressed. You cannot lose it either."

And to this day the sadhaka is in search of that which can neither be lost nor taken hold of it.

 

At the Feet of the Guru

Blesses and Facilitates Darshan of Swami Sivananda

By R. Seshadri

Every pain is a blessing in disguise. Every sorrow is a test of the Lord. Every obstacle is a lift for evolution. Every failure is a stepping-stone. Fear not, look not back, and be bold, March forward, God ward.

-          Sivananda

 

Swami Sivananda is one of the greatest Saints of Bharat, who is dwelling in the hearts of thousands of devotees, guiding them on the spiritual path to Liberation.

 

"Sivananda's Mission in Bangalore and Karnataka", written by my esteemed friend, Sri Sivananda Nagaraj, and dedicated to the Himalayan stalwart recently, prompted me to recall some experiences. "When Swami Sivananda was staying in a kutir near Swargshram in the early 30s, a devotee, Alavandariah of Madras, was surprised to see Swamiji sitting on a cot, while a cobra and a frog sat beneath the cot in a happy mood," according to the Author.

 

Sri Nagaraj, Sri B.P. Balasubramaniam and three others in the Postal Department, were blessed by the Guru to found the Divine Life Society at Tasker Town in 1945. Now this has grown into a great spiritual institution rendering excellent service. Sri Nagaraj more than fulfills the requirements of a true 'Sishya'.

 

Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji had great love and reverence for Sri Sivanandaji, one of his Preceptors, and had taken part in some of the DLS functions. I had accompanied Swamiji on a few occasions.

 

Swamiji had told me that during his early days in Madras (Chennai), after his arrival from Ooty (1943-44), he was blessed and helped in his sadhana, particularly meditation, by Swami Sivananda, who used to stand beside him {may be in vision).

 

On one of his visits to the All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Sivanandaji asked Sri Narasimha Swamiji to present 'Radhakrishnan' to Sivanandashram at Rishikesh. Sri Narasimha Swamiji told him that if he (Radhakrishnan) was willing, he could go. When asked, 'Radhakrishnan’ said: "I would like to continue to serve my Guru and the AISS". Had this not happened this way, how could we all have had this Divine Gift to Karnataka for Sai prachar work and that hundreds of devotees like us seek refuge in him?

 

In late 1961, the International Press Institute conducted a seminar for senior journalists in New Delhi and I had been chosen as a participant from Karnataka. Soon after I went to Swamiji with the request that he should bless me and my wife to have Swami Sivananda's darshan on a day when the other participants were officially being taken to Agra to see Taj Mahal. Exactly then, a rose flower adorning the picture of Sri Guruvayurappan on the beside of Swamiji's cot came flying and fell on my lap, about six or seven feet away. Swamiji said: "Here is the answer, you will get His darshan. Don't miss it now as the Maharaj won't be with us (physically) for long".

 

From Delhi, we reached Rishikesh late at about 11.45 am by train and bus, for darshan as we had to finish our bath. I had learned that Swamiji would normally leave for lunch and rest in the afternoon. We hurried in haste to a place nearby, where His Holiness was surrounded by several foreign devotees. I looked at him from a distance with no hope of drawing his attention. I was supremely happy when he called us both near him immediately asking others to wait.

 

He told me like a dear mother: "You should be coming from a distance. You have not even had a wash. Take your bath and lunch. There are some gluttons around me here. Still you will get buttermilk and rice. He sent a volunteer to accompany us. After about half an hour, we were taken for his darshan, when he was sitting on the banks of the Ganges. He made very kind enquiries and presented many books to us. He also sent a devotee with us to show us the press and other places, besides a visit to the Gita Bhavan across the Ganges I could return to Delhi with a happy and grateful heart for the Blessings of Swami Sivananda and my Guru's grace. But the Himalayan Saint attained Mahasamadhi in 1963.

 

Universal Panacea

By Swami Shanthananda (Vashishta Guha)

Vishnu Sahasranama stotram - what a wonderful boon to this world? This occurs in the Anusasana Parva of Mahabharata, during a conversation between Bhishma and Yudhistira. Bhishma avers that this stotram is the best of all spiritual practices, by just chanting which a person can get relieved from the cycle of births and deaths and attain the absolute bliss. A regular practice of chanting the stotram even once a day, early in the morning bestows immeasurable benefits on the devotee.

 

The very first sloka of this stotram alone, if chanted gives the benefit of the japa of 'Ashtakshari' - 'Om Namo Narayanaya', recital of Purusha Suktam, Japa of Gayatri mantram and japa of Narasimha mantra. This sloka consists of four padas. The first portion (three names) consists of eight syllables, out of which the middle name is Vishnu. Thus it denotes the greatest of Vishnu's eight syllables Ashtakshari i.e., Om Namo Narayanaya. Every sloka of Anustub meter will have eight syllables in each pada, but here the due as to its special significance is given in the names occurring in the stotram in the second pada again are another eight syllables - thus totaling sixteen syllables so far. This denotes the sixteen hymns of 'Purusha Suktam' the clue for this is contained in the name 'Bhoota Bhavya Bhavat Prabhuh' because in Purusha Suktam it occurs 'Yad Bhootam Yaccha Bhavyam'.

 

If we add the eight syllables of the third pacia, it becomes twenty-four in all. This number '24' denotes Gayatri mantra that consists of 24 syllables and is considered as the mother of the Vedas. The clue for this lies in the name 'Bhoota Brt' which means the one that nourishes and protects all the beings. 'Savitha' and Tatsavitur' in the Gayatri mantra means the Supreme Being who protects and nourishes all the beings like a father.

 

If we take the last eight syllables in the last pada, it totals in all to 32 letters that signifies the Narasimha Mantra containing 32 letters, called the 'Mantra Raja'. The clue to it is contained clear! In the third sloka starting 'Narasimhavapuh Sreeman'. Further the word 'Bhootatma' in the first sloka can also mean the one with a terrifying personality i.e. in the form of a lion. Thus the first sloka of the stotram alone can confer immense benefits.

 

The entire stotram is made up of a combination of syllables, every one of which is an energy capsule. The fifty syllables of the alphabetical table of Sanskrit is an energy capsule, pronouncing which creates vibrations capable of removing specific vasanas (negative tendencies inherited from previous births) and creating positive qualities.

 

For instance, if we take the name 'Rama', it consists of two syllables 'Ra1 and 'Ma'. 'Ra' is called Agnilya (seed of fire), unlike other consonants. If we go on repeating 'Ra', we can see the frictional force operating and the friction causes heat. 'Ra' creates such a subtle and intense wave of heat that all our negative conditionings of the mind get burnt. 'Ma' is Amrutha Bhava, which rejuvenates and brings the divine consciousness to the fore.

 

It is told that once when Lord Shiva was hungry and wanted lunch, Parvati was unable to join him as she had just started to chant Vishnu Sahasranama stotram and would take sometime to finish it. Then Lord Shiva told her a shortcut: - "Sahasranama Stulyam Rama Nama Varanane" i.e. chanting the name 'Rama' once equals the chanting of all thousand names of the Lord. But remember shortcuts should be resorted to in emergencies.

 

Let me conclude this article with an entertaining anecdote on the glory of the fifty syllables in the alphabetical table. Once there was a hardworking farmer who possessed a land 10 km away from his hut. Daily he had to walk all the distance to his land, till the soil and return by dark. One day he went to a local saint for learning meditation. The saint gave him a book of Vishnu Sahasranama stotram and initiated to recite it before lunch and on any day he could not recite it, he should forego the lunch. For three days the farmer continued to do as told. On the fourth day when he opened his lunch bundle, he found to his dismay that he had forgotten to bring the stotram book. Undaunted, he repeated the alphabetical tables starting from 'A', 'Aa' etc., some ten times and prayed to the Lord: "Lord, I am hungry. I have chanted the alphabetical table. You know 'Vishnu Sahasranama stotram' well. Kindly arrange your stotram with alphabets yourself". God was pleased with this device of the devotee and blessed him.

 

Moderation

Again and again Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji would be seen to discourage his devotees from depending upon him, for this would prevent them from contacting the inner 'Athman’.

 

He was often heard to say, "Three things there are that when too close are harmful, when too far are useless and are best kept at middle distance: fire, the Government and the Guru."

 

Contradiction

A devotee asked Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "What action shall I perform to attain Sai Baba?"

Swamiji: "If you wish to attain Sai Baba, there are two things you must know. The first is that all efforts to attain Sai Baba are of no avail."

Devotee: " And the second?"

Swamiji: "You must act as if you did not know the first."

 

Beyond Body, Mind and Intellect

By Air Cdre. T. M. M, Raghavan (Retd.)

Shirdi Sai is a unique special aspect of Supreme Being and there is nothing, which he cannot do or grant. It is only a question of approaching Him with love and devotion.

 

Swami Shanthananda Furi Vashishta Guha, Himalayas

Recently I went to the house of Sri C.V. Bhaskara Rao, a great devotee of Baba and Swamiji. He was the President of our Centre for many years. He is 94 years old, but not keeping good health for the last few years. He remains in bed most of the time and his movements are restricted. After enquiring about his health and general talk, I asked him to tell me his experiences of Baba and Swamiji. He told me that his experiences were numerous and he did not know which one to narrate. After some thinking he started telling me how his son's marriage was arranged by Swamiji in a miraculous way.

 

"It all happened nearly forty years back. I had arranged the marriage of my son, Sri Gopinath (presently M.C. Member of SSC) with a girl from Bangalore. The auspicious date for the marriage was fixed as 9lh June, 1963. About 10 days before the marriage, when we were busy with the arrangements for the marriage, we received a telegram from the bride's father that the marriage is cancelled and all arrangements were to be stopped. I was shocked beyond words.

 

I went to Swamiji with the telegram. On seeing me, Swamiji asked, "Why are you looking so sad?" You should have consulted me before arranging the alliance. This girl is not suitable for your son. Tomorrow, you will get another proposal. You agree to the alliance only if the girl's parents are prepared to perform the marriage on the same day which you have fixed up for the previous proposal, i.e. 9th June 1963.

 

The next day exactly as told by Swamiji we received a elite from a party in Gooty with a marriage proposal. After taking permission from Swamiji, I and my son proceeded to Gooty. As per Swamiji's instruction, I told the father of the girl that he must give an assurance that if the alliance was finalized, the marriage must be celebrated on 9th June 1963, the original date fixed for the wedding.

 

Although hesitant due to the very short time for preparations, the father agreed. We also assured him all our help in the marriage preparations. The boy and the girl gave their mutual consent and the alliance was finalized. With the blessings of Swamiji, the marriage was celebrated at Gooty on 9'h June 1963. We were all relieved and overjoyed. How can we ever forget Swamiji's extraordinary grace? The girl selected by Swamiji is not a daughter-in-law, not even a daughter, but like a mother to me, the way she looks after me.

 

Sri Bhaskara Rao was reluctant to talk on his recent experiences saying that they were highly personal. He was lost in thoughts for some time. I do not know what went on in his mind. Suddenly, he said: "O.K., I will narrate one experience. It is good that others know about them. You know, I am weak and in poor health. Added to it, I had severe pain in the abdomen and urinary tract, which put me in physical and mental agony and made me desperate. Sometimes the pain was unbearable. I started entertaining dark thoughts as to some means by which, I could end my life and escape the suffering. With these thoughts, I was lying in bed. In the night may be at midnight, Swamiji suddenly appeared before me and said in Tamil. "You do not know even to breathe properly. Can you take your life? Keep quiet".

 

It was not a vision. It was not a dream state. Swamiji was standing before me in flesh and blood and I saw him clearly. Two days later, Baba also gave me vision. He told me, “Now you are eating rice. Why do you want to eat air and disturb others?" Do you understand the implication of Baba's words?

 

The message of these two experiences is clear. We have to submit to God's will and have patience in going through sufferings due to past karma. Our Sadgurus, Baba and Swamiji are ever present to be with us and give strength and courage to overcome adversities and sufferings.

 

Baba's Mahasamadhi day Celebrations

83rd Baba's Mahasamadhi Day celebrations at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre got off to a start on Sunday, the 21st October, with the inauguration by lighting a lamp by H.H. Sri Harshanandaji Maharaj, President, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore. The Swamiji spoke about how Apantharathmas, after Mahasamadhi, are active guiding their devotees on the right path. He said that their subtle bodies were very active and worked more vigorously than when they were in the physical bodies. He referred to the lives of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Sri Vivekananda and Mother Sharada Devi. (Report of the speech elsewhere)

 

Vidwan Kalaimamani, Sri R.K. Suryanarayana and party gave an excellent Veena recital on Monday, the 22nd. Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood public meeting was held on Tuesday, the 23rd October. A separate report appears elsewhere.

 

Vidwan Sri Sashidhar Kote gave a delectable devotional music concert. On Thursday, the 25th, Vidwan Sri R. Gopalakrishna and Party rendered devotional songs.

 

VIJAYADASHAMI was observed on October 26th with Samoohika Abhisheka to Sri Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. Lalitha Sahasranama Archana and Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Archana were conducted after Abhisheka. Dr. U. Lakshminarayana and party gave an enjoyable Mandolin recital.

 

The Mahasamadhi of Sai Baba was observed on Saturday, the 27th October. More than 1000 devotees participated in the Samoohika Abhisheka to Sri Sai Baba and the Swamijis after Arathi. Mahanyasa Poorva Shatha Rudrabhisheka was performed to Sri Sai Baba and the Swamijis.

 

Later, devotees performed Samoohika Bhasmarchana with Sahasranama Archana to Baba and Ashtottara Archana to Swamijis. Vidwan Sri Puttur Narasimha Nayak gave a fine devotional music recital in the evening.

 

SRI VISHNU SAHASRANAMA HOMA was performed on 28th October, after Samoohika Abhisheka to the Deities. After Poornahuthi and Arathi more than 2000 devotees were given Narayana Seva Prasad. The Programmes concluded with a procession of the portraits of Baba and the Swamijis in a specially decorated chariot with colourful flowers and illumination of lights, through the main streets of Thyagarajanagar.

The aradhana of H.H Sri Narasimha Swamiji was celebrated on 31s1 October with Samoohika Abhisheka to the Deities. After Bhajans and noon arathi, devotees were given special prasada. In the evening, Dr. G.R. Vijayakumar gave a talk on the life and great Sai Prachar work done by Sri Narasimha Swamiji.

-          S. Syama Rao

Swami Harshanandaji Maharaj lighting the lamp to regulate Baba's Mahasamadhi celebrations. Sri R. Seshadri (right) and Sri Syama Rao look on.

 

Blissful Encounter

I have a soul exhilarating experience to share. One morning when Sun rose up with clouds clinging I was prompted to rise up on hearing the door-bell Ushered in SAI, to my surprise, mildly smiling.

 

Hardly believing my own deceptive vision I welcomed Him, offering traditional greeting;

Of washing His Lotus Feet in an open vessel; followed by my drinking that nectar of our first meeting. I held out to Him a morning cup of Cheer with Bread, Butter. Sweets, Milk and Fruits to relish; also, hurriedly arranged for His whistling smoke

 

Made Him thus comfortable in His own image to establish. I looked to Him and He looked to me in return. Defying that oft-proclaimed meaning of the phrase For it was a live contact at an intimate personal level. And not merely a vague idea or philosophical craze.

 

Next I offered Him a thousand one obeisance with flowers. Played soft music and bhajans for Him to hear Persuaded Him to indulge in small luxury; of putting on silken robes and jari-embroidered foot-wear.

 

Demonstrating Unmistakably His pinnacle of love, He allowed me this rare privilege of serving and sanctified the abode of a sinner like me intensifying, for more such visits, my craving.

 

Next when we meet after absolution of my responsibilities Let our roles, of Host and Guest be reverse, 1 shall then ever and ever remain with you as I enjoy living on the hospitality of others.

- Shyamlal G, Narang

 

Idolatry

Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji implored upon his devotees about two-pie 'dakshina' demanded by Sai Baba. While calling upon them for implicit faith, he never wearied of warning his devotees about the dangers of fanaticism. He loved to tell the story of the prophet who carried a flaming torch through the streets, saying he was going to set fire to the temple so that people would concern themselves more with the Lord than with the temple.

 

Cultivation

A visitor from Delhi asked Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji how to distinguish a true teacher from a false one when he got back to his place.

Swamiji said:  "A good teacher offers practice, a bad one offers theories."

Visitor: "But how shall I know good practice from bad?"

Swamiji: "In the same way that the farmer knows good cultivation from bad."

 

Saipadananda Brotherhood Public Meeting

Public meeting was held on 23rd October under the auspices of Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood as part of Baba's 83rd Mahasamadhi Anniversary celebrations. Prof. Nanjunda Sastry, Retd., Professor of English, Mysore University was the Chief Guest. The meeting was presided over by Sri. R. Seshadri, President of the Centre and patron of the Brotherhood. Smt. Geetha Srinivasan spoke about her experiences of Baba and Swamiji. She explained how even though she was a devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swami; she was attracted to Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji by certain miraculous events. She also explained how both of them gave her their darshan and showered their grace on her.

 

Sri C.V Bhaskara Rao and Sri. R. Parthasarathy, the other two speakers, could not attend due to health reasons. Their speeches were read out at the meeting. Both of them quoted various h