Thursday, April 25, 2013

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/98



I am a Registered Medical Practitioner, engaged since years in my profession at Uravakonda, Anantapur District. Andhra Pradesh. As a result of some unforeseen circumstances and their effect on my mental condition, I got involved in a vicious habit, namely, taking injections of morphia. It began with two injections per day. Within eight days, more correctly, on and from the 20th of June 1968, I fell into the habit of taking four injections per day. In another fortnight, I needed eight, and within a month after that, I was ' forced to give myself 16 injections of morphia. In about a month more, the quantity the body clamoured for increased to 20 injections. This continued for only three months more, for, later, I had to take thirty injections every day. I could not for the life of me discover any method by which I could reduce the intake.
My income from medical practice was about 800 to 1000 rupees per month. All that income proved insufficient for the morphia I had to give myself. I had to sell off five acres of my lands for 13,000 rupees; this amount plus the money I got from the patients sufficed only for 16 months for me. I sold another 3 acres for 10,000 rupees that pulled me through another 16 months. I had no money remaining with me at the end of that period. Then I sold the building sites I had in the town for 6,000 rupees and spent it on the morphia during the next eight months. The income from the remaining lands I clung to and every pie of my earnings were swallowed by this vicious habit that had `possessed' me.
I have ten children—6 girls and 4 boys. My wife had died. I had never paid any thought during all these years on how the poor things were managing to exist. Of course, they suffered much for want of food and clothing. They went through manifold miseries. They used to wait outside my room and when they saw some patient giving me any little money, they would cry piteously for the same, `Father! Give it to us. We shall purchase some grain with it, some snacks.” I used to drive them away with foul interjections. I never worried over what they ate or how they managed. Some patients who came to me used to pay them now and then part of the fees they had to give me and with this meagre source they kept flesh and bone together. Nine years passed thus. I was driven to such despair that I started tackling the problem, how to get rid of this vice. For, I could not even reduce the intake, by the slightest. When I had on some days, to take less than on previous days. I suffered extreme agony. Pain all over the body, yawning, sweating, fear, effusion of saliva, stuttering cramps—these gave me great distress. How could I then stop the injections altogether? How could I escape from the coils of this drug? On account of the high cost of this habit, my family had been ruined. My medical practice declined and dried up. My physical, health also got deteriorated from day to day. Of course, I repented in my heart of hearts for this fault, but, what could I do? I found it impossible to escape.
One of my friends who had fallen victim to morphia had gone to Madras and returned after a cranial operation by which they said his habit could be got rid of. Another doctor friend too had gone to Madras and stayed there for four months; after undergoing treatment there, he had given up the morphia habit. But the first friend had spent Rs. 3500 and the second friend had to spend Rs. 5000. I too desired to go, but, I had no money at all. Yet, I had to continue the injections. I begged, borrowed, and visited hospitals and somehow managed to pull through, with the minimum quota of 30 to 35. Nine years passed by. I had run through Rs. 40,000, during that period. I could not free myself from this habit or even reduce the intake. I realised that one can free himself from the jaws of a crocodile, sooner than from the jaws of morphia.
Meanwhile, a Bhajan Samaja had started working in our town, by the devotees of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba; they held their bhajans at the Subrahmanyeswara Temple, near my house. My friend, Dr N. Anjaneyulu, was its organiser. One day, a Thursday, (they did bhajan there every Thursday) I went into that temple and sat in the far distant corner, listening to the bhajan songs. During the bhajan, a desire arose in my mind. That is to say, "Baba! You were my classmate, here, in the High School, years ago. You must be remembering me. You must be knowing the depths to which this habit has dragged me. There are some who doubt You and many who adore you as God. I am not involving myself in that controversy now. I want to find from my own experience, the Truth. Well. If You can bless me with the mental courage and strength to get out of this vicious morphia habit, I shall believe that You are God." With this vow taken with a full h eart, I steadied myself. Within a few seconds, the bhajan ended. They distributed Vibhuti Prasad to every one. Holding the packets in my palm as a precious gift, and resolving to rely upon Baba for the strength to free myself, I returned home. I decided that, whatever might happen, however hard the conditions, I would not take a single injection, of morphia, for full three days. If on the fourth day I am free from the tentacles of morphia, I shall adore Baba just as those people are doing, at the Subrahmanyeswara Temple, I told myself. The first day, I did not take any injection, no, not even one. I had no calls of nature, that day. I had profuse sweating, cramps in muscles, burning sensation all over the body, wild imaginings, streams of tears, cough; these gave me a terrible time. But, I swallowed small quantities of the Vibhuti and carried on, in spite of everything.
The second day was worse. The urine and faeces were full of blood; frightful thoughts of suicide haunted me. The third day dawned. I had determined and sworn that day too I would not take morphia. I felt that I may not survive the third day. When night came on, I began shouting and wailing aloud, in some kind of inexplicable pain. I hit the floor with my feet; I hit my head against the pillar; I blabbered wildly and loudly. The children wept and wailed, awakening the neighbours and the houses in the locality. Some friends of mine came in and seeing my condition, they too shed tears in sympathy with the children. A doctor friend came at about 3 a.m., and, realising that my pitiable condition was due to my not taking the morphia, he brought four injections with him. He told me, `I have brought these. Take the injections." But, I replied, "Doctor! The promise I have given to Swami will lapse tomorrow. Keep the four safe, until morning." The time was then 3 45 a.m. My children were sitting all around me. I told my little daughter, Hafiza Begum, "Go and get me the Vibhuti of Swami I have kept in that shelf over there.” She brought it and gave me. I took a pinch and placed it on my tongue and drank some water to wash it down.
In about ten minutes, I fell asleep! During sleep, I felt as if I was on a pilgrimage! I slept nicely, until 11 a.m., the next day, the fourth day. Exactly as promised, the doctor friend hearing that I had awakened from sleep, came at about 12 noon, with the four morphia injections. When he came, I was reclining in my easy chair, calm and collected, with no sign of any after effect—no cough, no sneeze, no haw or hum. The doctor asked me, softly, "Dear friend! How do you feel?" I replied, equally softly, "By Swami's Grace, my mind is clear and calm.” Then he said, "in that case, I believe you have no need of this morphia.” I said, in a firm tone, "No. There is no need.” The doctor was overjoyed. "Ah! What happy news you have given us! How pleasant to the ears! At last, after all these years, Swami has showered His Grace on you!” the doctor said and going out into a fruit shop , he brought two apples and placing them in my hands, he left, with the morphia he had brought for me! Since that day, three months back, I have never had the slightest inclination towards morphia. My health has improved a great deal, and is getting better and better every day. My medical practice has also picked up fast. My children are happy.
The Wednesday after my recovery from the hold of the crocodile, morphia, I joined the Nagarsankirtan group that passed before my house and reaching the Subrahmanyeswara Temple with them, I related to all the devotees of Bhagawan, the story of my vow and its fulfillment. My friends, relatives, and well wishers were all very happy when they came to know of Baba's Grace. I have now no doubt that the Divine Will of Swami can cure every one suffering from such vicious habits, provided they surrender to him. For myself, I am convinced that He is Divine and that His Grace alone has saved me and can save me.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/97


The Tripura Rahasya contains a section called Sri Vidya Gita, which is a proper subject for study, during the Navaratri, when Tripura Sundari, the Goddess Shakti or Maya or Kali or Saraswati is being worshipped and meditated upon by all ardent aspirants. The Gita is in the form of a story: Once upon a time, a distinguished galaxy of sages assembled in Brahmaloka. Each one of them held forth loud and long on his own system, with the courage of conviction and declared that it was the best. This led to great confusion and they could not all agree upon the system that was the best. So, they prayed to the Goddess Tripura to solve their problem. When The Goddess manifested Herself before them, they asked Her, "What is the proper and perfect means of attaining Thee? What is the nature and result of this attainment? Who is the best among the sages who have accomplished The Goal?"
The answer given contains the cream of the highest gains of Indian philosophy. “I am the ABSTRACT Intelligence, wherefrom the Cosmos originates, whereon it flourishes, wherein it resolves. The ignorant call Me, Prakriti, or the. Gross Universe, the wise know Me, as their own pure Being, the `I' within. Being non-dual and Abstract Intelligence, I spontaneously manifest as the minutest particle in the universe as well as the universe itself. I manifest in diverse ways; but, I Am unblemished, for I Am Absolute. Though I Am the abode of all and immanent in all, I remain pure.
I wield My Maya and I play in it. I become covered with ignorance; I appear full of desires; I seek their fulfillment and appear happy or miserable; I project favourable or unfavourable environments; I appear to be born again and again; I learn the Truth and get absolved. This manifestation as the ignorant and the bound is called Creation. Supreme Wisdom is the state devoid of thoughts, will and desire and is unimpeded by ignorance. Non-dual consciousness is the state of emancipation. Emancipation is eternal and therefore, here and now; it is not a state to be acquired.
If the longing for becoming aware of emancipation is intense and unwavering, you will succeed. Three evil propensities that befoul the intellect have to be overcome: (i) want of faith in the Sastras and the Guru (ii) addiction to desires and (iii) dullness. Believe firmly, convince yourself by correct logic, develop dispassion, and to overcome dullness, practise adoration, prayer, meditation so that you may win Divine Grace. He who unreservedly surrenders himself to Me, with devotion, is endowed with all the requisites necessary for the Realisation of the Self, that is to say, Me.
You ask Me who among you is the best. Well, He who has one-pointed devotion to God is the best of aspirants, because his dullness will disappear through Grace. But, the one devoted to Abstract Consciousness excels every other seeker. Some sages, like Janaka, abide as the Self, even while engaged in complex duties. Though engaged in work, if a person does not look upon anything as non-self, he is a perfect sage. The best among the sages is never out of samadhi, be he working or idle. He is not influenced by happiness or misery, by pleasure or pain, nor by fear or doubt or desire. He feels himself pervading all, as all. He is at peace, he is aware that all dualities are in the Self and of the Self. He feels this continuously and spontaneously. Such a one is the best among you. This is called Vidya Gita, because Tripura, or She Who presides over the three Puras, cities that is to say, the gross, subtle and karana-sariras or bodies, is V idya or the Highest Wisdom Itself.
In the Devi Mahatmya, the Goddess is described, "Sarvasya buddhi rupena, Janasya hrdi samsthithe!" "She who is in every being as Buddhi or Intelligence." She is Mahavidya, Mahavani, Bharathi, Vaak Saraswati. She promotes, confers, directs, intelligence. She Who confers liberation through Intelligence and removes the fog of delusion from the inner eye is worshipped, adored and propitiated. May Intelligence grow, May Ignorance vanish, May all of us, through the Grace of Mother Sai be released from bondage to the senses and bondage to the temporary and the tawdry.

Bhagawan's Mahasamadhi Day 2013


Bhagawan's Mahasamadhi Day was celebrated on April 24th, 2013 at 8.00pm in NED.  We began with veda chanting, followed by chanting of Bhagawan's Name x 108, and bhajans.  After arathi, there was a video presentation of Swami's Divine Discourse.

Penang State Youth Omkaar



The Penang State Youths held their second session of Omkaar at NED centre on April 21st, 2013.  The chanting of 21 Oms began at 6.50am and it was followed by Suprabatham, Veda Chanting and bhajans.  Some balvikas children from SSBC Glugor centre had arrived to participate in this event. Around 9.15am, vegetarian breakfast was served to all who were present, totalling more than 60 people.

The second half of the event was a workshop titled 'Sathyam, Shivam, Sundaram'.  
Vegetarian lunch was served at the end of the activity, around 12.30noon.


Click below to see more pictures :

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/96


My name is Darius Zukas and my wife's name is Lolita - we are from Lithuania, Europe. We feel much honoured to tell the story of our daughter Atile. Her entry into this world was Swami's miracle. Atile was born on 1st July, 2000. In April, 2000, we came to Brindavan for just 12 days to say "Thank You" to our beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
When Lolita was in her 4th month of pregnancy, she suddenly felt unwell, one day. Usually she had a very good connection with the child. So we went to our local doctor that we were registered to. Lolita underwent an ultrasonic test. It showed that the baby in the womb was dead; no heart beat, no breathing, no movements… We were much depressed.
My wife got the papers to be admitted to the hospital next morning for cleaning operation. We went home feeling very sad. I remember very well, it was a Thursday - a day earmarked for the worship of Guru, The Supreme Teacher. So, we decided to pray to our Guru and God. We could not sleep that night - we had spent it praying to Swami, “Swami, it is not fair - we cannot accept this situation, please help us…”
In the morning, we packed the things needed for the hospital and went for admission. When we came to the hospital in Vilnius, we were asked once more to undergo the ultrasonic test. This time, the doctor was quite surprised - she looked once, twice, and said: "why have they sent you for an operation? You and your child are okay!" We could not believe in the first instance, and then we burst into a laughter - we knew it was Swami!!!
We were so happy that we decided to get the tickets to pay our heart-felt gratitude to Swami. And this gave us an opportunity to spend four precious years of our lives in Prasanthi, serving Bhagawan.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/95


Once, Baba granted an interview to the Marxist editor of an Indian Newspaper. He spent two and a half hours with him and persuaded him of his error. The Marxist questioned Him about the methodology of His kind of ‘revolution’ and Baba replied that He had none in the accepted organisational sense. His method is the simple one of transforming the inner individual through love, and the machinery used is co-operation and brotherhood induced by this kind of love.
The editor then asked why He did not cure the ills of the world by His sankalpa to which Swami, as one would expect, replied that this kind of instant solution - without a prior spiritual transformation - would not work; the world would quickly revert to the present chaos. He also explained that the whole drama of creation with its karmic law (of cause and effect) would collapse.
Pressed by the editor about the difficulties in persuading the rich of such a life of philosophy, Swami replied, “The rich can only come to Me on the basis of absolute equality. This is why at the ashram rich and the poor work together, eat, worship and sleep together, do menial tasks together, and share the common austerities of the ashram. There is absolutely no distinction. Yet, despite this, the wealthy come to Me in order to secure that peace of mind which physical comfort and power cannot give. I convert their minds and hearts to spiritual values and truths.”
The rich cannot secure Swami’s grace without surrendering their materialistic outlook and self-serving attachments. He tells them, “Ego lives by getting and forgetting, love lives by giving and forgiving.” He changes their mental attitudes. He emphasises the need to live a life without desire, a desirelessness based on high thinking and frugal living, rather than a high material standard. He shows them that riches provide a fatal temptation, which is the source and the cause of human bondage.
“Shed your luggage, ” He says, using one of His parables, “you will travel lighter.” It is not material but spiritual satisfaction that ultimately makes life worth living. And He points to the poor who are often spiriutally rich, and to the rich who are often spiritually paupers.
During hisshort stay at Puttaparthi, the Marxist editor discovered to his amazement that the woman who swept the courtyard was a maharani, his personal attendant was an ex-magistrate and the interpreter during His interview was formerly India’s leading scientist, Dr S Bhagavantham!”