Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/46



HE IS KARUNA

Some years ago it was, when the car-road direct from Prasanthi Nilayam to Bukkapatanam did not exist; the Sri Sathya Sai Baba High School, Bukkapatanam, held its annual celebration of Baba's Birthday on the 23rd November, as usual. Baba too blessed the boys by His Presence. After Bhajan, Baba discoursed to the students and He wanted all the boys to go over to Puttaparthi and share in the celebrations there with the assembled devotees, as well as in the feast that had been arranged. While returning from the School to Karnatanagepalli by car, Baba saw the boys walking in the sun along the road to Puttaparthi. He could not bear the sight of the children trudging in the sun, even for the distance of two miles! So, He stopped His car and asked that they should all sit in the shade of the trees, promising to transport them all by car to Karnatanagepalli! So His car, as well as three others belonging to some devotees, were put on this specia l assignment, while Baba waited on the other bank of the river Chitravathi for all of them to join Him, and the Bhaktas at Prasanthi Nilayam wondered why Baba took such an extraordinarily long time to finish the High School function and return to them! It took full three hours for the cars to bring over the three hundred and odd school children and Baba started His walk over the sands of the river, only after the teachers had assured Him that not a single boy had been left behind. Probably (why, most assuredly) no one, not even the children would have minded that short walk of two miles. But, He, in His Mercy, did. It was Dasara at Puttaparthi, a few years ago, the forth day, I believe. At about 9 P.M. Baba sent word to a band of young men that they must assemble in the Hall for some urgent work, and within a few minutes, there were double the number, eagerly awaiting His orders. Everyone wondered what that could be! Well, Baba came and explained that the buntings and flags with which the Nilayam and the garden were decorated since the first day of Dasara had faded slightly and become dull in colour and so they have to be replaced by fresh ones, to be prepared and fixed during the night! The work engaged us till the smaller hours of the night and Baba was with the party all the time, attending to every details. Someone dared asking Him the reason for the extra attention upon the 5th day of Dasara and the reply he got was this: "Don't you know that tomorrow your Bandhus (friends and relatives) come for the feast?" and this we knew! For, the next day was the day the poor, the Daridranarayanas were coming to the Nilayam to receive Prasadam and Vastram from His Hands! But, who could imagine that His Prema was so great, so deep, so all-embracing as to celebrate the arrival of the poor by this 'de novo' decoration? When someone told Him that the feeding of thousands of people and the distribution of hundreds of saris and dhotis should be published in the papers, He turned towards him and said, "What! Do you publish in papers the news that your friends and relatives came to your house?"! We have, every one of us, to learn the lesson of those flags. Baba travels by car whenever He moves about as everyone knows, but everyone may not know this expression of His Prema, while travelling. He knows all the places on all the trunk roads where the wayside beggars stand without stretched hand especially the disabled and the afflicted. So, long before the location comes, He is ready with His Gift and when the person is spotted, He stops the car, calls him towards Himself in His own sweet voice and places the aid lovingly in those hands! Oh, how He scans the area and searches for the familiar hand and face if by any chance he is not visible at the accustomed place! Verily, it has been truly sung, "Karuna indeed is He; He is indeed Karuna." In the Viveka Chudamani, the Guru is described as Ahethukadayasindhu; His Grace is showered on all without interruption and without cause! Such is our Master, our dearly loved Baba.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/45


Years ago, I had read the article on Baba, in the 'Illustrated Weekly' and had, at once, rejected the whole description as "trash”, sentimental and useless. I used to receive those letters, which most of us get, where the sender appeals to our greed, saying that if we send nine or eleven similar letters to our friends, we will receive, on the ninth day, some good news! A threat is also mentioned therein, that, 'if we do not continue the chain, we will suffer loss or dishonour.' I used to throw these letters in the waste paper basket, without reading them. In September 1969, someone sent me three books on Sathya Sai Baba. I never tried to know who had sent them; I never cared to go through the contents of the books—for, I had such set ideas and attitudes about Baba.

I turned the pages of the books; my eyes fell upon a photograph of Baba; I felt there was nothing worth reading in them. I placed them, in an obscure corner of my bookshelf. This was a unique act: for, I did not, as was my wont, throw them away or give them away to someone. As Divisional Inspector of Schools over a district, I keep receiving books from all over the country; I read the ones I like and pass them over to the library of some school. But, in the case of these three books I did not read them, nor did I pass them on. I kept them, with me!

I have a habit of waking up from bed about an hour after midnight to read books for about two or three hours, and going back to bed for further sleep. This was a habit I cultivated while at college; it has stayed with me, ever since. Though the compulsions of study are absent, I still get up at about 1 a.m. and study some book or other for about two or three hours.

I am studying these days, the Ashta-dhyayi (Eight Chapters) of Panini, the Sanskrit Sabdanusasanam, one of the most celebrated works on linguistics, written several hundred years before Christ was born. Panini is the greatest architect of language the world has produced. His book not only deals with the Sanskrit language, but, it is a text illustrating his linguistic methods. The world's linguists have wandered for two centuries fruitlessly in the jungles of language study; at last, they are returning to Panini and seeing light. Panini is an absorbing and fascinating writer, though his work is by no means easy to understand.

It was early September 1969. One night, I woke and took my Ashta-dhyayi and went into the dining room, so that the rest of the household might not be disturbed. It was strange that I could not concentrate that night. I closed the book and went out of the house. The time was one o' clock, then. Wonderful peace was reigning on Khosa that was sleeping quietly. Only a few lights flickered here and there. A nice cool breeze was blowing softly and I felt refreshed enough to walk in and resume the study.

But, when I sat down and started reading, I found I could not. For a moment I thought why I could not concentrate, when, lo and behold, just by my side sitting on a chair near the dining table, near where I was studying, I saw a figure in flowing red robe, with hair typical of Sathya Sai Baba. The instinctive reaction of anyone when he sees a stranger in one's house, at dead of night, is, of course, to shout for help. But, I felt no such reaction. On the other hand, I felt great pleasure, an unearthly peace filling me, on seeing Baba. I had never thought of Him, nor, had I desired to see Him, even in my dream of dreams! But, He was there before me. Even on seeing Him, I was not ready to accept Him. Before I could ask Him Who He Was, I heard His clear sweet voice, saying to me, in a reassuring tone, "Do not be afraid; I Am with you.”

He repeated this twice and I felt really more assured. Still, the question remained who He Was. I was just about to put that question, when I heard His voice, again, “I sent you some books!" At once, I associated the books, with the books I had received on Baba, and without even thinking for a moment, I replied, "Yes, I have received some books" I was about to say more—(I always like to say more and more—my friends know that I seldom stop short, but, always talk on and on—though I have often felt, unnecessarily) but, Baba then said, "Read them.”

I said, "There is nothing in them, it is all trash. There is nothing I can read in them,” But, Baba persisted: "Still, there will be something in them; at least, read.” And, He smiled—a smile I can never forget. I said, "I will,” and got up, and went to the shelf. When I returned with the books, Baba was not there.

I started reading those books. I found therein all the wisdom our books on philosophy contained, described through actual experience by Baba. I found in them the conviction of realisation. Let me make it clear that I have never been drawn towards religion. I recognise three compartments in religion—philosophy, ritual and action. Of these, only philosophy has attracted me from long ago; I had read almost all books available about Eastern and Western Philosophy, and found them mere words, without the sublime experience of what they imply. Baba's words were, however, convincing!

After a few days, I was again reading Panini in the small hours of the night and again feeling that I could not concentrate on the work. I saw Baba again before me in the chair. He asked me. "You have read the books." It was not a question; it was a statement of what He already knew. It forced me to say, "Yes. I have.” "You liked them,” Baba said, with the same assurance of knowledge. "Yes, some nice things have been described in them,” I said. "I knew you would like them; now ... translate,” Baba said, with that charming smile of His, and vanished. Translate! What did it mean? From one language to another? Or, from the head to the heart? I took Him to mean that I should translate the books, into Hindi or Adi; I took the literal meaning. I started translating the books into the Adi language of the North Eastern Frontier Agency.

Friends who know Adi will agree that it is very difficult to express in Adi abstract philosophical ideas. However, by the Grace of Baba, I could do this. Still I used to stop the work of translation, in a few places, awaiting guidance. Psychologists might interpret my behaviour as ‘an escape from a difficult pursuit like the study of Panini;' they would have been right but for the fact that I am still continuing my study of Panini and what is more, finding it easier and easier, day after day!

Baba came to me a third time! He asked me, "You have started translating.” This time, His voice came in the midst of my absorption in Panini! I raised my head and saw Baba in His full glory and replied, "I cannot do it; it is very difficult.” But, Baba said, "You can do it; you have done it; do not get too much fixed up in words; what is worth doing is difficult.” Then, Baba disappeared. This assurance gave me further courage; I continued obeying His behest; I have now not only translated the books into Adi, but, I have translated myself, in thought, action and feeling.

This is the story. On hearing about this, friends ask me, "What more do you desire? You are indeed lucky that you have seen Baba and that too so often." I reply that I am indeed blessed and that I do not desire anything. The 'I' is submerged in Baba. I desire not. Baba wishes, Baba orders, Baba gives me strength to do what He wants to be done. Some say, "You may leave this material world soon!" But, can any man do so, without Baba's express Will? If Baba wishes so, well, man will.

This experience has given me control over the ego and over hatred of others. I am now afraid of talking slightingly of subjects I do not know or beyond my actual experience. Miracles are happening to me, every now and then; if I describe them, this letter will grow too long. Let me conclude with ... SATHYA SAI JAI JAI.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/44


Two years ago, it was my privilege to have with me 75 days at Puttaparthi an old and learned Sanyasin, called Amritananda. He had accidentally seen a picture of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Bangalore, on his way to Sringeri for Navaratri. He was captivated by the sweet beauty of that picture and expressed a desire to have His Darshan. He came to know that I was coming to Puttaparthi the next day and so, he sought me out and accompanied me. His plan was to stay for not more than 3 days and then proceed to Sringeri.

Swami Amritananda was 85 years old; he had taken Sanyasa from His Holiness Sri Sri Narasimha Bharathi of Sringeri, during the Kumbhabhishekam celebrations for the Sankaracharya and the Saradadevi temples at Kaladi. He had later spent many years of study and austerity at Sringeri and, as per Sri Sri Narasimha Bharathi's command, spent many years with Ramana Maharishi at Tiruvannamalai. From there he had gone to Rishikesh, Dwaraka and Puri and had spent many years in the Himalayas, engaged in japa and dhyana. He was a great sadhaka and seeker, eager to have the Darshan of great souls and to prostrate at their feet. He had practised yoga too and his scholarship had won him the appreciation of pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Bala Gangadhar Tilak.

I was naturally very much interested, in this great person; for he could quote instantaneously from the Vedas, Upanishads and Sastras. He had also a large repertoire of stories and anecdotes of his stay with Gandhiji and Vinobhaji and with almost all the famous religious leaders of our land.

Swami Amritananda was, as I said, anxious to proceed to Sringeri for Navaratri but, within a day or two of his arrival, he felt that Puttaparthi was just the place where he would, like to spend that year's Dasara, with his usual special japa, etc. He described the magnificent scenery from the bathing-ghat at the Chitravati as reminding him of Rishikesh itself. He felt elated and exalted by the Bhajan and, in spite of his old age, he sat through the two sessions every day and never failed to derive supreme pleasure out of it.

Bhagawan gave him Darshan practically every day and I came to know that Swami Amritananda asked Baba a large number of questions on yoga and on advaita, to each of which Baba gave him convincing answers. After each such interview, the Swami used to come to me, with a happy smile, and tell me, "Wonderful! This Baba explains Advaita as no one else has done so far. Oh! I have never met any person who could explain yoga so clearly to me." I remember, one day, his coming to me with unusual joy and he could not but share that joy with me. He asked me to sit close to him and he patted me on my back. He said, "Even if you are offered a palace as a present, do not accept it; remain here at Prasanthi Nilayam. He is Siva Himself."

I was indeed thrilled. "For 32 years," he said, "I have travelled all over the Himalayas just for this Guru and now, at last I have won my race. A girl in that Bangalore house first told me about Sri Sathya Sai Baba Whose picture I saw at Bangalore. My namaskarams to that girl. Having had His Darshan, I know I have no more birth. But if I take on another birth, I shall not forget that girl and the timely direction she gave me. I owe a great debt of gratitude to her."

That was what the 85 year old Sanyasi said that day, with tears of joy streaming from his eyes. He told me that Baba had Himself referred during the interview about the Ganapathi Homa he had performed 78 years ago for 41 days; Baba revealed the elaborate mantram with which the Homa was done by him; Baba assured that, at last, on that day, he had realised the fruit of that Ganapathi Homam; and Baba vouchsafed him a vision for which he had wandered, struggled for years and years.

No wonder Swami Amritananda decided to stay on. I know he discussed with Baba the scheme he had, to construct a Veda Pathashala in the North; he understood from Baba that his asthma was the result of some mistaken yogic practices which he had gone through at Skandaguha at Tiruvannamalai; he clarified some points in the Ramana Gita, (in which incidentally Swami Amritananda's name occurs as Amritananda-yathindra.)

When finally the Swami had to leave Puttaparthi, I accompanied Swami Amritananda as far as Bangalore. All along the journey he was speaking in glowing terms of the Avatar he was privileged to meet and congratulating me on my great luck and dilating the great opportunity for self-realization that I had come by. I also came to know that there was a deeper, meaning to his joy. For he revealed to me that Baba had given him an assurance that, wherever he might go, in whichever place he might be in his last days, He would vouchsafe His Darshan before his death.

I am sure that when after about 10 months Swami Amritananda shoved off his mortal coil at Thirukkazukunram, he must have had that supreme Darshan and he must have closed his eyes with the sweet beauty of Sri Sathya Sai Baba encased within the lids.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/43


IN MID-AIR


By the time we got to the Ashram, I was feeling fine. I couldn't believe that I'd ever been sick. I had my interview with Baba and He materialised some Vibhuti for me, opened my shirt and put it on my chest. I hadn't told Him any thing but the next thing He said was that my heart was not damaged. (I had the attack in September and I was in India in November) "Good heart, don't worry. Why fear when I am here?" Then He materialised a ring and said, "Wear this, I will always be with you." It had a likeness of Baba in it. That gave me a connection with Him and it started to change my life. It was so natural that I didn't even have time to be shocked about it. I had heard that He did this. In fact it was one of the things that kind of concerned me. Before going to the Ashram, I told Indra Devi that "Everything but the miracles, I can accept." Those miracles bothered me because I had read in Ramakrishna Paramahamsa that you have to be aware of the Siddhi powers; they will lead you astray. So, I was afraid that showing off this power was somehow egotistical and not on the highest level of expression. Therefore I had doubts as to His motives in doing it. But when I got closer and began to experience it, I realised that it was so natural to Him, and the reason behind it so sound, that I realised He was coming from a different space. He was not becoming something; He was that already. And so there was nothing that could spoil Him.

Baba is here to try to evolve people out of the insanity they have created for themselves, into the Light. Anybody that comes into His orbit that's willing to meet Him half way, He is going to do everything He can, to help, because that is His mission, that is why He is here. With a westerner it usually takes something to blow his mind to get out of the material world that he is trapped in, and out of his idea that everything can be figured out scientifically. So Baba creates something out of time, breaking what looks like scientific natural laws and creates a so called miracle. That is very hard for some one steeped in the intellectual world to handle. They have to confront it and question it. And the only answer is, God. And most of the time, people who are intellectual cannot get to God, because it doesn't work for them.

It is the simple-minded person, the person who has faith and love that can embrace God without having to understand God. But it is the intellectual who has to understand God before he can embrace Him. And the understanding of God is impossible! There are millions of people out there trying to figure it out and going bonkers, because they can't. And, an act of suspension of time is going to stop people and make them pause and think.

The thing that blew my mind was not the creation of the ring. It was what happened when Indra Devi asked Him if she could have some more of the healing ash, the Vibhuti, because she had given all of her first supply out to people. He said, "Yes" and, as I am watching, moves His hands in a circle and then holds both hands up as if to receive something. Then this urn about 4 inches high appears in mid air and plops into His hands. I see this and I say, "That is not sleight of hand, that is not up His sleeve, that is something else!" And then He takes the top off and, on a piece of paper, spills out all of the ash. Then He pours again and another full quantity of ash pours out so that in total He poured out about double the amount the urn could possibly hold. Next, He puts half of it back in the urn and distributes some of the remainder to people nearby. What's left He puts in a little handkerchief bag that He gives to Indra. He touch es it and says, "Now this will be an inexhaustible supply, so you won't run out." Well! She has had it for 10 years now and it is still flowing. And she has given it to thousands of people. So that was a miracle for me, much more so than the ring. Because I had been flirting with the concept of God and had studied religion; but I had had no experience of God. After that experience with Baba, whether or not God exists, is no longer a question in my mind.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Ram Navami 2012


Ram Navami was celebrated at NED centre on April 1, 2012 with Veda chanting and Lord Rama bhajans.  It was followed with a short talk by our Chairman.  Refreshments was served after arathi.