Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 5/11

The parting with Baba was easy. He had so entirely filled my being that i did not feel like being separated from Him by distance. One day, just before the starting of the Crusade for Light in Darkness at San Diego City, i was driving all by myself, from Los Angeles to Tecate, when all of a sudden, it started to drizzle. Normally, we never have rains in June. So i turned on the windshield wiper and continued, singing the Prasanthi Nilayam Bhajan in full voice. Suddenly, one of the wipers flew off with such force that one would infer it was torn off, by a strong hand.

"Bhagawan?" i wondered aloud, "Is anything wrong?" i went ahead, but, soon, was unable to continue, as the rain got stronger and i had to get off the freeway. (The freeways in America are a network of four or more lanes, built for motor traffic exclusively to connect one town to another. The speed limit on them is 65 miles per hour, but, 70 is still legal.) To find a gas station to replace the missing wiper “Madam,” exclaimed the attendant, after glancing at the front wheel, “you are lucky, because you could have met with a disastrous accident.” He was right. Driving with a punctured tire at the speed of 70 miles per hour would have ended in a catastrophe.

“Thank You, Bhagawan,” i said, silently, turning to Him. So, it was Your hand that tore off the wiper with such force that i could almost see You doing it.”

i very often speak to Him, when no one is around. This is one of the reasons I like to be alone, which is not always easy, with so many people around—students, visitors to our yoga center, secretaries, helpers. But, somehow, i always manage to slip away and be alone with Him, whose image is constantly on my lips, and whose voice rings constantly in my ears. Giridhara Gopala, is followed by Govinda Krishna Subrahmanyam and Syamasundara Madanmohana. i remember telling Him once, that Krishna charmed people with the tone of the flute, while He (Bhagawan) is charming them by the tone of His Voice.

Two months later, in August. i was, to my own surprise, again on the way to India! This unplanned trip was made, because the silver medallion Baba had given me was gone, in spite of the chain around my neck being intact. “Probably Sai Baba wants you to come," suggested my husband. "Probably," i agreed, and promptly booked the passage. After reaching Prasanthi Nilayam, I immediately told Baba about it. “You would not have come otherwise.” He smiled! “Will You then give it back to me, Bhagawan?” I asked. “Yes, Yes, Yes” He assured.

During my short stay at Prasanthi Nilayam, i started, at His wish, Yoga classes for the Patasahala boys, who turned out to be the best students i ever had. When the last lesson was over, we all sat around Baba and He gave me a ‘ring’ which He ‘took’ from the air. “The Satwaguna,” He said, pointing to the precious gemstones. Back in my room, i felt uneasy about it since i had given up wearing jewels, since 1938, when i started teaching Yoga. i felt i could wear a ring only if it had His image.

The next morning, the first thing Baba told me in the interview was "Give me the ring it is not right". Holding it up between two fingers, He blew on it three times, thereby transforming the many gems into a single diamond! We all sat speechless and enthralled. ‘In this you and you alone will see My image", He said. "Isn’t it what you wanted?" He asked. I bowed to His Feet and thanked Him for it. Yet I wanted the medallion which I had come for. "This one?” He asked, holding it up in His Hand. I was overjoyed to get it back.

Prasanthi Nilayam is too small in size to be found on any map; but, it has become the biggest in meaning to millions of people, including myself. i even declined a flattering proposition to establish my own Yoga center, in 3 places in India; for, i could not well imagine myself staying in any other place, but Prasanthi Nilayam, or wherever Bhagawan might be. He has so completely filled my life that my first and last thought and every other one, in between are about Him. i speak of Him, on lecture platforms, at home, in classes or wherever i happen to be!

The young people in America are on cross-roads, searching, running away from homes, revolting, resorting to outbursts of violence, drugs and even suicide. They are desperate. There is no one to guide them. The San Diego State College which has 20,000 students has already sent an invitation to Bhagawan. Of late, many youths have become really interested in meditation, Yoga and Indian music. i know that Bhagawan would be the real answer to their quest, and to their problems.

Not only youngsters, every one needs Him, everywhere, especially, in America.

84TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Our joyous celebration began at 5.30am with 21 Omkars, Suprabatham, Naamvalli, and Bhajans.  It was a divine morning charged with peaceful vibrations.  Breakfast was served after arathi.

On the same evening, at 6.30pm, the festivities continued with several video presentations of Bhagavan Baba.  At 7.00pm, the sounds of Vedam chanting filled the hall.  This was followed by another round of very exhilarating Bhajans.  Everyone sang with their hearts full of love for our Lord.  The evening ended with a birthday song to Swami and the cake-cutting ceremony.  Refreshments was served after arathi.

Click below for more pictures :
http://picasaweb.google.com/ssbcned3/84thBirthdayCelebrations231109#

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/11

STEADY... READY...

The man who had many a pen in his pocket was fortunate to enjoy the physical proximity of The Lord, who had many a face of Divinity. The closeness allowed him to learn great lessons from the Living God, often showcasing His unknown facets of His Divine Personality . In the process, He ensured that his chosen birographer was steady and ready to pose for the Divine! ...for the Eternal Divine Photographer!

Continuing from Issue # 14, read on for Prof. Kasturi’s yet another snippet of experiences with Divinity....

Awareness of this Truth came into me clearer and clearer as the years went by. It persists even today, when He is in the fifties and I am in the eighties. Playfulness is inherent in the relation of God to man. Baba has written, “I created the world for my pleasure.” On another occasion, He declared. "I am directing this puppet show and I am pleased with it." Pricking bubbles, exploding ego balloons, demolishing aerial castles, playing hide and seek these are favourite pastimes of His. "Love my uncertainty" is what this phenomenon advises us. And who can be more uncertain than a child? When distributing sweet laddus, inducing each devotee to catch the gift when He throws one in his direction, once in a while, He throws an empty gesture and laughs at the discomfiture He causes. The next moment, He may give us two, with a pat on the back to soften the impact of disappointment.

I remember one evening in 1959 when He sent some one to bring me to His room at the Mandir. Baba told me that the Editor of a daily newspaper published from Hyderabad had asked for my photograph, for he was announcing me in his paper, alongside a nice write-up as the Editor of the "Sanathana Sarathi.” Baba had promised to send him my photograph and He asked me to prepare myself for being shot within minutes by Baba himself, with a brand new camera He had specially selected for the purpose. My joy knew no bounds! I rose to the eighth heaven. I rushed down the eighteen steps to reach home for a quick face-lift.

I returned to the Presence, within minutes, shaved and starched, with a big broad smile on the frontispiece. Baba held me by the shoulders and positioned me at an appropriate distance. He peered through the lens and congratulated me on my 'photogenic face’. I was elated that my picture will catch the eye of at least 30,000 readers all over Andhra Pradesh. My smile swelled into a toothful gulp. He cautioned me with a 'steady', followed immediately by a 'ready'. He clicked...A black hairy blotch with a flashing tail bounced on my neck from inside the camera! With a shrill screech, I hopped into the corner of the room casting away the horrid, hirsute....was it a rat? Was it dead? No it was a cotton mouse....that was cunningly tucked inside the dummy camera, to be released when clicked. Baba had a hearty laugh at my panic. I too laughed to relieve the tension.

He reprimanded me mildly for swallowing the story He had invented to deflate my ego. He reminded me that my being the Editor was not the kind of 'news' which the world was interested in. Lasting fame is to be sought not through newspapers which turn into waste paper the very next morning, but through dedicated service to God and the godly.

I left His room, a leaner and wiser man. Baba mercifully helps us, slowly and subtly, to shed the burden of the ego. He condemns modesty as a mere pose intended to draw attention or admiration to oneself. He advises that we should be just ourselves and not wear masks behind which we hide. "What greater status can you attain than being the medium for packaging and posting My message to thousands of devotees every month?" He asked me.

Baba is too bright a sun for human eyes; we can bask and bathe in sunlight but we cannot gaze at Him. The Sun must itself diminish the splendour and become a beautiful red disc, as it does twice a day, so that man can imbibe the golden grandeur. Baba too gives us frequent glimpses of the Glory that He is.

LADIES' DAY SERVICE ACTIVITIES 15/11/09

Ladies' Day was celebrated as a day of service by our Wanita wing on Nov 15, 2009. The first visit was made to Shan's Children Home in Mount Erskine, a home for 21 underprivileged children. Our ladies prepared a sumptuous lunch which consists of vegetarian nasi lemak, vegetarian curry chicken, sweet potato snacks, jelly, chocolates, and sweet dessert drinks. After serving the children, our sisters and brothers joined in the meal with them.

Next, we made visits to the residential homes of four very senior devotees of NED. They were Aunty Chow (Mdm Toh Chai Har), Aunty Joyce Chung Say Hua, Bro Ooi Hwa Bin and Aunty Poh Cheng Imm. We also brought along some food gift-packs to celebrate the occasion with them. The senior devotees were very happy to spend the day with us.

And finally, in the evening, our Wanita wing conducted an all-ladies' bhajan. Every lady had the opportunity to offer arathi to Swami to commemorate the special occasion. The evening ended with delicious refreshments prepared by our members.

Click below for more pictures :
http://picasaweb.google.com/ssbcned2/LadiesDayActivities151109#

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/11

That night, I couldn’t stop thinking of the rainbow. Why didn’t it curve like a rain-bow usually does? .... A gentleman came to the room, and informed us that Sai Baba would be seeing us, the entire family, along with some other westerners, at 9 in the morning.
Time flew by, very fast, that morning. It was 9o' clock, before I knew where I was. We entered a room inside the temple; it was nearly ten feet square. One corner had a huge piece of furniture, a large wardrobe closet, covered in cardboard and tied with a string; next to it was a silver, painted chair with velvet cushion and a handkerchief draped over each arm. Along one wall was a sofa covered with a white dust cloth. Next to that, bags were stacked to the ceiling.
I was told to sit by the chair, near the archway, that had a circular cement staircase that would allow one person to ascend or descend at one time. As 8 or I0 of us crowded into this little room, all sitting in Yogi style, I glanced about and seeing the bags gave me the feeling of Christ’s Manger.
The silence in the room was broken only by some one clearing the throat. I glanced to my right, and, there, coming down the steps was the Inimitable Figure. I stood up with the rest of the gentlemen; I was first by the archway, as he entered.
He stopped, and looked at me. The gentleness of his eyes and the warmth of his smile drew out the well-trained and controlled emotions in me. "Well, CHARACTER! How did you like the RAINBOW?"
The, expression on my face, of stun-ness must have made him laugh, for, he chuckled, as he walked over to the chair. As he glanced at the group, he said, "He wanted a rainbow," pointing towards me. The tone indicated that he wanted to add, "Why didn’t you ask for something difficult?” He motioned us to sit down. I noticed that the movements of his hands had the gentleness and manners of politeness which are beyond description. No verbal etiquette or diplomacy could do as well. As he leaned back in his chair, he turned his head and glanced at me with a smile. "Rainbow,” he chuckled. He then turned and faced the group.
For the next one hour, my mind was in confusion.
There were many questions asked, too many to mention. He turned towards a woman and asked, "How are your knees? Is it hurting?" She said, "Yes". .... Like a child pouring sand from the palm of its hand, he poured ashes into her palm. The woman placed the ashes into her mouth. He looked over to my daughter and said, "What is your name?" Diana replied "Christiana." "Oh," he said, a very pretty name, and father likes it very much. Come, Christiana, come to me." Christiana took one look at him and screamed. Sai Baba laughed. "This hair scares most children.” Diana, in her embarrassment, pushed Christiana on, but, Sai Baba motioned with his index finger upright, to Diana, a definite NO, not to push the child. Sai Baba pulled his sleeve up again, and repeating the rotary motion, (I leaned forward to watch beneath the palm; there was nothing there), fingers closed and opened in a split second, and dangling from his fingers was a gold chain, with a locket on it. He gave it "That is for Christiana," he said.
I wasn’t impressed, as much as I was with the rainbow. After all, there have been some persons who could materialise watches, rings etc. But, the Rainbow did disturb me as only God can make a Tree or a Rainbow, or a Fruit or ............
Sai Baba interrupted my thoughts as he turned towards a women and said, "You had a bad fight with your husband last night; he wanted to take you home to America, because you are not feeling well. "He slowly placed his hands on the husbands' shoulder and chuckled. "Why go home? Am I not your mother, father and doctor?" As he spoke, the movement of the hand started its silent musical flow; as he flipped his hand upward, a FIG appeared!
He tore the fig apart and gave one half to Christiana who was ill then and another half to the woman. Now, he turned and directly looked at me and smiled. Later, I came to know that figs were out of season at that time, in India.
I have been here for many weeks now, and in all this time, I have never seen him stop. He is constantly seeing people and constantly giving of himself. I have only this to say to Baba now: "Thank you for the seed. It is now up to me, to prove worthy: The seed requires the water of faith. I must cherish the Seed (God) with love and nurture it, with faith."
(Concluded)

PENANG STATE AKHANDA BHAJAN 2009

Adult Joint Bhajans - Opening session

NED Centre - Midnight slot (1.00 - 2.30am)

Global 24-hours Akhanda Bhajan for World Peace was held at the Shivam Temple, Penang, from Nov 7 (6.00pm) to Nov 8 (6.00pm) 2009. Hundreds of Sai devotees had attended this annual event and many sang their hearts out in glorious songs of praise rendered to the Lord.

Click below for more pictures :
http://picasaweb.google.com/ssbcned2/PenangStateAkhandaBhajan711811#

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/11

I asked Diana about taking inoculations and about the baby's shots. To my amazement, she replied, "I am not giving any shots to that baby. If you think I am going to throw all those germs into her body, you are mistaken. Besides, Baba will watch over her, right through." I looked at her, and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I glared at her and could hardly restrain myself. I stumped around the room; I thought I was going out of mind! India is full of diseases and a big cholera epidemic is prevalent! I picked up the phone and called my doctor to confirm my sanity. After my conversation with him, I felt fully assured and convinced that I was married to a mad woman. Bombay was a very big disappointment for me—flies, insects, dirt. I thought: 'Here I am, with a fifteen month old baby (no shots) exposing to all this, and every time, inoculation is mentioned, she tells me about this Sai Baba Character, watching over all of us!' We decided not to spend time in Bombay, but, continue our trip on to Bangalore and rest there, for a while. The trip to Puttaparthi was enjoyable. The countryside, with its reddish brown clay, sprinkled with trees had a peaceful effect. Not much was said in the car, as I was absorbed in the beauty and stillness; even the engine of the car hummed to a musical key of peacefulness. But, the village outside the Ashram gave me a shock! How can I get my child out of here, that was the problem for me...As we climbed the steps to our room, Diana's mother, who was there already, gave us a greeting that would make an usher at a funeral look positively joyful! We unpacked our things and Diana suggested we go upon the top of the Hill to have cigarettes, as you were not allowed to smoke on the Ashram grounds. As we climbed up, my mind kept pounding the thought, "What am I doing here? What has Diana talked me into?" Pamella, the girl we had met at Bangalore, was there on the top of the hill, having a cigarette. I sat myself on a rock that made me the pinnacle triangle; as we talked. Pamella was confirming my thinking about this Place, Diana forged on like a Christian warrior trying to convince me that the battle in the mind was worse, and had to be won first. “How can you speak for other people?" "What is crazy for you, may .......” My heart stopped. For, Lo! Behold! Over Diana’s right shoulder, a RAINBOW started to appear! Both the girls were staring at me, waiting for the completion of my sentence; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. “Diana!” I said, “Look over your right shoulder. She turned slowly and said, "My God!" Pamella was bewildered. “What was wrong?” Diana turned quickly and said. "Joel was going to ask Baba, if He is God, give him a rainbow. And, look!” The three of us stared; my eyes began to fill with tears. “Look," I said, "the sun is shining. How can that be?" We watched a rainbow go straight up, never curving, and in a matter of seconds, it had reached its peak, and as quickly as it grew, it dissolved itself from the bottom up. I could only say, “I got goose bumps all over my body.” Pamella said, "Me, too!" We all sat in silence! Only the distant voices of the children could be heard. The warmth of the sun could be felt on the stillness of the breeze. How long we sat there, I can’t recollect, as I believe I was in a state of shock.

But, eventually, some one broke the spell and we decided to return, down the mountain. That evening, we went to the temple, to see Sai Baba. As we reached the temple, Diana's mother told me to go to the right, and to the front of the temple. "For God's sake, take off your shoes," she shouted, in a loud whisper. I proceeded to take off my shoes and walk towards the front of the temple. To my amazement, before me sitting in yogi style, was a large group of men. Fifty feet away, were the women, similar size, group and posture. I smuggled myself down, amidst a group of men. I felt conspicuous, as it was evident that I was a westerner by my skin colour and clothes. My eyes began to wander, and I felt terribly out of place, like a man in the theatre about to witness a play that he would not understand. The quietness was unbelievable; one could hear the cooing of the pigeons and a bell ringing in the distance, which I finally pinpointed to be around the neck of an elephant, as it rang at the peak of its pendulum swing. As the curtain began to rise with the moon, there, before me, at a distance, appeared the glow of an orange robe, filled with a strong body, the head hallowed with electric hair! Slowly the figure approached the men's section; there must have been 20 or 30 men seated before me. Before I knew what was going on, He was standing before me; as He bent down and put His hand upon my shoulder, I heard His gentle voice say, 'How are you? CHARACTER!" I was stunned. I was completely bewildered. Character? The very word, I had used so often, in derision, about Him? (to be continued...)