Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/16

Once Radha saw Krishna going in the hot Sun. She was immensely agonized and ran after Him. She asked Him, “Oh Kanhaiya! Why are You going in the hot Sun? See how Your body is drenched with sweat! Your face has become reddish and the tender Feet of Yours have turned red.” She anxiously wiped His face with the edge of her sari and adjusted His locks. She started massaging His Lotus Feet softly. She requested Him that He should not put His tender Feet to such a plight and He should walk on her palms, which she will alternately shift. Radha is the life force of Krishna and Krishna is her very breath. He was moved with the concern she had for Him and His heart melted like butter. He caught hold of both her hands and looked into her eyes with overflowing love. She was excited when He agreed to comply with her request. She laid her palms on the ground and Krishna went step by step on them. Having taken only a few steps she sudde nly stopped Him and requested for Him to wait for a while. She went to the nearby pomegranate tree and rubbed its flowers into her palms. She thought that her hard palms would hurt His Feet and by doing this it would not hurt her endearing Lord’s Feet.

The heart of Krishna melted like ice noticing her great concern for Him. He was very much moved and was thrilled by her love. He tenderly caught hold of her hands and asked her as to why she was so fond of Him? Would not her tender palms get hurt by the hot ground below? Would this not bring grief to Him? The purity of their hearts and the intense love for each other made the hot Sun to become cool. The bewildered Sun God stood with folded hands. Quietness reigned the entire nature wondering if there is any parallel to such immortal love! Can their love be ever defined in words? They were the icons of love in the empire of love. Where there is Krishna there is Radha and where there is love they are but inevitable!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/15

After the death of Ravana on the battlefield, Lakshmana asked Rama, "Brother! Our brother Bharata has been ruling the Kingdom of Ayodhya very well, for 14 years. That kingdom, though poor, is happy under his rule. Now, Lanka has come into our hands. This seems heaven when compared to Ayodhya. I pray that you assume rulership over Lanka and reform the Rakshasas." Rama smiled at this suggestion. He replied, "Does any son give up his mother because her features are ugly? My motherland may be poor but it is my mother. Can I adopt a woman as mother, if she is more charming than my own? However rich and prosperous this Lanka is, I do not wish to be here." Rama held up the ideal of a patriot eager to serve His native land.

I shall relate an example in which I Am Myself the subject. Forty years ago, a rich lady named Sakamma (famed as a big coffee planter and manufacturer of Sakamma Coffee) used to come to Puttaparthi from Bangalore. In those days, journey to this isolated hamlet was a very difficult venture. Those who came by car had to negotiate mud tracks and park the cars on the right bank of the river and trudge across. On one occasion, Sakamma came with two maternal uncles of the Maharaja of Mysore, and prayed, "Swami! This place is very inaccessible. Devotees are undergoing much trouble. We shall purchase a few acres of land in Bangalore City and spend a few lakhs to build a fine spacious Mandir for you there. Swami must agree and must move over to that city." I told her, "Sakamma! What is the greatness in promising water to those who come to the River Ganga? The greatness consists in promising water to those who come to the desert . Listen! This is the place where ‘This Body’ was born. You may build the Mandir as you plan anywhere. I shall come there and be there for some days. However, I shall not forsake this place." Now, this tiny hamlet which was difficult to reach has become the centre of even a University. Can mere man transform it so? Through Whom has this village gained every modern convenience needed for a happy life?

Choong Yuen Chieh 2013

Our centre held celebrations for the Chinese 7th Month Memorial Day, i.e., Choong Yuen Chieh, on  August 18th, 2013.  Lotus candles with names of departed loved ones were offered by our members at Swami's altar before prayers.  We chanted Lord Shiva mantras, Lingashtakam and Tibetan Buddhist mantras, as well as, Shiva bhajans in commemoration of this festival.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/14

Following a dream of Sai Baba asking me to once again visit Prasanthi Nilayam, my parents and I arrived in Puttaparthi and we immediately started to settle in our rooms...

A kind gentleman had helped me to get my luggage into the residence and then left.

The room was perfect I felt, simple and clean. However, I needed to move my suitcase as I did not like the spot it was placed in. There was a beautiful little black Beatle type of insect slowly walking around which gave me so much joy, and I was concerned that the bag may hurt it when I tried to access my clothes.

Naturally, I went to move the suitcase, but as I did, I put my leg down on the floor and felt something underneath my knee...

I had unfortunately placed my knee over the beautiful insect and severely hurt it with my weight. The Divine child was struggling to move and blood was pouring out of it. My heart shattered! How can this be? I was trying to be careful, due to this beautiful insect's life being so tiny and fragile and all along my thoughts were constantly on Baba, yet this lovely insect had been severely hurt by my own body. ...As I was reflecting on this, feeling hurt and sad for the creature, the insect stopped struggling for life, it stopped moving its legs and passed away...

My heart melted just as quickly as its life did. My immediate response was an emotional prayer to our Divine Father, Sathya Sai Baba: "Father how is it that You have brought me here and how is it that in Your Divine presence such a dramatic event of taking a life has happened, when Your love and Your devotee's love is all around us? Father, contemplating on the pain this Divine child must have felt is heartbreaking! Please Father, do something at Your Will."

As soon as I finished praying, the blood that had poured out of the insect started to go back into it! It was like witnessing a video in reverse! Not one bit of blood was left on the floor! As this was happening, the semi-squashed body of the insect was being filled up, like inflating a flat tyre back to its full shape! Within about 15 seconds the insect was back to its healthy form and running around in full glory!

Praise Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba! Pure Love! All are One! As Father said to Son: "Be alike to all, My son!"

Witnessing this miracle also immediately took away my disheartenment and instead joy was replaced within my heart. I remembered how Sai Baba had said "I remove tears of sorrow and replace them with tears of joy!” - Indeed, You do, Father!

The next morning, I got out of bed, and the insect was following me around. Whichever direction I went in, it followed me. - If I sat or stood still, it started to walk in small circles and then sit in one place, looking directly at me. I asked it: "What do you want my friend"? And then with strong intuition, I thought it probably wanted darshan of Baba (as I had been carrying a photograph of Sai Baba in my hand and looking at it). So, I showed the picture of Sai Baba to the insect. After a pause of holding the picture to it for about 5 seconds it turned around and sprinted away in a gush of joyful excitement!

God is for ALL creatures!!!

"There is no human being without love. Even beasts, birds, animals and insects have love. This love is experienced in even in the smallest of creatures. We should have deep conviction that God is present in every being in the form of the Atma – consciousness." - Sri Sathya Sai

Self Transformation Programme

The STP (Self Transformation) programme was launched by Malaysian Sai Council for Sai members all over Malaysia.  Our workshop was launched in July and is being conducted on monthly basis at SSBC Glugor centre.  Currently, our group consists of members from three centres, namely, NED centre, SSBC Glugor centre and Penang centre.

Trip to Swami's House in Ipoh

Our members made a spiritual trip to Swami's House in Ipoh on August 9th, 2013 for the Consecration of Dwadasa (12) Jyothirlingam.  We left Penang at 6.30am and arrived in Ipoh just before 9.00am.  There were poojas, rudram chanting, veda chanting, prayers and bhajans conducted at Swami's House for the auspicious occasion.  

(Click for more pictures : Swami's House)

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/13

The incident that I write about may be small but, it is, I believe, significant for me and for all young men faced with similar situations. On 27, 28 and 29 March 1980, a college in Lucknow had arranged a festival called "Bonanza 80.” I had also been deputed to represent my University in the Fancy Dress Competition. I was aware that it would be a tough job, for nine teams were competing, including I. I. T. from Delhi and Kanpur. I slogged hard and perfected my item. Originally, only one entry was allotted to each institution, but, later, two were allowed to participate. So, another student joined our team. The programme for the bonanza indicated that he had to go first on the stage and I had to follow him. But, when he was called, he was not ready with his fancy dress and so, I was sent first on the stage by the person in charge of the programme. Pardon me, for telling you the fact. My performance brought the roof down; the applause of appreciation was so thunderous. The photographers clicked again and again. Reporters surrounded me when I came down and plied me with questions. Next day, the papers praised my item very much. But, the name below the photograph was not mine! Since my team mate's name appeared first in the schedule that was distributed, though my item was the first, the name beneath the photograph was that of the student who performed after me! The distribution of prizes was to take place that evening, during the concluding function of the Bonanza. I was very much upset. I was told by the college authorities that my entering the stage first had led to the confusion. I found that the other person was put down as the prize winner. His name was so announced on the Notice Board. I received a shock at all this blunder. On my way back from the college, I came across the other fellow! He was on top of the world, literally jumping with joy! At this, I thought twice... what would Baba like me to do. I wondered... can I make this fellow sad? No, I decided. The prize for me can be only a nine days' wonder. But for him, it promises to be tremendous encouragement and coveted honour. I have earned the distinction of winning a prize, whenever I appear on the stage. So, it was a very difficult decision but I am glad I made it. I must confess that had I not met Sathya Sai Baba at Brindavan, Whitefield, and listened to Him during the Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality, I would never have decided so. He was the inspiration that led me to think, "Which is the prize you should seek—your companion's happiness, or, the thing the Organiser’s give?" and to arrive at the conclusion, "Give up and Gain.”

Wanita Light Programme

Wanita Light programme was introduced by Malaysian Sai Council for Sai ladies all over Malaysia.  This programme was launched in May 2013 at our centre and is held on every first Sunday after Bhajans and Arathi.  Our ladies total around 10 - 15 people per session.  We have currently just completed four sessions.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/12

It was on December 8, 1979, that I came to know from a Bangalore daily that there as a discourse by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Lalbagh. I remember that day as the most precious one in my life, as on that day I had an opportunity to get the darshan of Bhagawan, which marked a great transformation in my life. I used to suffer from severe "migraine" attacks, which continued despite all the treatment that I sought from specialists in medicine. One specialist in nervous disorders, a former Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research, told me that there was no permanent remedy for this ailment. As an engineer with serious responsibilities, I found that the recurring “migraine headache" would not allow me to attend to my daily duties properly and often I was confined to bed. My wife used to pray to several deities. Finally, we decided to go to Kerala, our native place. There, I consulted my brother, who is an Assistant Surgeon in the Kerala State Health Department and also Medical Officer in charge of the Public Health Centre, Manantoddy. After a thorough check-up, he prescribed some medicine, which was to be taken before the "attack". But, the very next day, when I was driving with my family to Cape Comorin, the "attack" came and the prescribed tablet was of no avail. I took a number of tablets, but the pain did not subside. The excess of medicine caused a stomach upset. The relief came in the midnight after vomiting. After returning home, my brother was surprised to learn that the tablets had not given immediate relief. My brother-in-law, who is a Senior Assistant Surgeon in the Kerala Government, prescribed a tranquiliser, which also proved ineffective. My father-in-law, who is an I. A. S. officer in the Kerala Service, was worried about my condition and wanted to take me to some specialist in Trivandrum, but this was overruled by my brother-in-law as I had already consulted the best specialists. After returning to Bangalore, the attacks continued and my neighbours and friends sympathised with me that I was unable to attend to my factory duties. It was at this juncture that I saw in the newspapers an announcement about Baba's discourse at Lalbagh. Having heard about Baba's superhuman healing powers, my wife and I decided to go to Lalbagh to have darshan of Bhagawan and have a trial. We were quite lucky to have a close glimpse of Bhagawan and we heard His discourse from a distance. Before the discourse was over we came to the passage through which Baba was to leave the meeting. My wife was worried about my headache and prayed that if Bhagawan Baba had healing powers I should not get the headache on that day. After the discourse Bhagawan's car came and we were both lucky to get a close glimpse of Bhagawan and felt happy that Bhagawan looked at us. After returning home, my wife suggested to me that if the headache did not recur for the next three days, I should get her a picture of Baba. The days passed and there was no headache. I had to yield to her request. I got a picture of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and she started doing Puja praying to Him to relieve me of my migraine attack permanently. As an atheist till that time, I started thinking whether Baba was that powerful and whether the stories about previous Avatars were true and whether Baba was an Avatar. The days rolled on and the migraine attack never recurred again. I started thinking deeply about God and Baba and used to stand in front of the picture which my wife was worshipping. Then I started going through the books written about Bhagawan Baba and the teachings of Bhagawan and I started slowly believing in God. Now it is more than a year and the migraine attack has not affected me and all my friends and relations have felt happy over the change brought about by Bhagawan. Now they all believe in Bhagawan as an Avatar. Myself and my wife worship Him as our family God and are trying to practise Bhagavan Baba's principles in our day-to-day life. By curing my migraine attack by His one Divine darshan, Bhagawan Baba has drawn me into the spiritual path and made me believe in God. Now I believe in the previous Avatars, Rama, Krishna, and the various deities like Muruga, Ganapati etc. Nowadays we perform Puja and sing bhajans daily twice in our house and very often feel Bhagawan's omnipresence.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/11

A few years ago in the Sanathana Sarathi i wrote about 'experiencing' Sai Baba from afar. Like many people at that time I had only read of Him and relied upon other folks' experiences to give me knowledge of the Avatar of the New Age. However, this state of affairs was soon to change. In November 1981 my daughter became seriously ill and for no apparent reason that the doctors could discover, she started having epileptic fits which became impossible to control. The tissue over her brain began to swell and one very black Monday permission was sought from me to agree to a surgeon operating upon her brain in an attempt to find the cause of her trouble. Very reluctantly I agreed to this but, at the same time, felt impelled to embark upon the almost impossible mission of speaking to Sai Baba on the telephone. Of course i should have known that pleas for help over the Sai telegraph are received by Him instantaneously and it was not necessary for me to spend seven hours trying to get through to Puttaparthi via British Telecom. However, i did manage it, only to be told that i must send a telegram instead! The next day when i contacted the hospital i was told that although the surgeon had been ready to perform the operation, a further examination of the swelling revealed that it had stabilised and indeed appeared to be shrinking. Needless to say it continued to shrivel and, as ‘predicted’ by Swami, Clare left hospital after a five-week stay. Some four weeks before this incident i had dreamt of following Sai Baba across a narrow footbridge, only just catching my daughter by the hand as she began falling into a flowing river which ran beneath the bridge. You will appreciate, therefore, what a tremendous sense of excitement and anticipation i felt, on setting out on a visit to India to see for myself that Embodiment Of Divinity In Human Form Who had already manifested His power to me. Imagine God's first beautiful day, with a clear blue sky and a sun reaching high ready to warm all under its rays and birds using the soft breeze to carry their songs of joy at the imminent approach of their Lord of Creation. Anticipation turned the atmosphere electric and all human heads turned as one when, as if from nowhere, Sai Baba appeared, drifting along like a cloud through a sky filled with human longing for His touch. He was here at last and i was seeing Him! When you have yearned for something for so long it is almost too difficult to grasp when the reality occurs, but nothing can ever erase for me that first moment of seeing Swami in the flesh. Going to see Sai Baba in India is probably the wish of most devotees and like so many i saw the trip as the zenith in my life. It has made me realise that i was turning a very important corner and being led down another street where life and all its works were just beginning. Certainly that road Sri Sathya Sai Baba shows us all is a main highway and major route to the Celestial City. Like others i came back from my trip filled with new resolve and strengthened with spiritual energy and know now that when i wrote before of Baba's grace in allowing me to experience Him from afar, i must now recognise that greater blessing He has bestowed upon me in allowing me to experience Him in human form.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/10

You must have read in “Sathyam Sivam Sundaram" the thrilling story of Baba's visit to Hampi Hospet etc at the age of 14 and on His return, the epoch-making announcement, that He belonged to His devotees and that His work beckoned Him. You must have read of the First Bhajan in the garden of the Excise Inspector's bungalow, which I too attended. I was excited and thrilled beyond words for I did not consider that Sathya was my `student'; He was my Guru, my Guide. I shall now share with you some of the experiences that the members of my family had experienced 23 years ago. (the article dates back to June 1963) Baba was present at the Uravakonda Bhajan sessions, every Thursday evening, when hundreds used to gather to take His blessings. Once when He went to Puttaparthi from there, He took me, my wife and my son as far as Anantapur and we were with Him there for two days, after which He left for the village, and we returned. We used to worship Baba, installing Him, in imagination, on the Pita (Seat Of Divine) which Baba had asked us to place in the shrine room. One day, while my wife was immersed in bhajan, with tears of joy streaming down her face, a big sized bumble-bee zoomed in circular sweeps and dropped on her head, while flying through the window, a roll of paper! We found that it was a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba! Surely, it was a gift from Sathya Sai!... for our shrine. Another day during the bhajan, Baba called the wife of Kasibhatla Sriramamurthy to the dais and told her, "I have just kept a picture in your shrine room for Puja; why is it you have no Picture there? Go and worship It." She was surprised that this `little boy' knew the details of the room so well and that Baba had shown them His grace. Immediately, she hurried home with three other women; they opened the lock and went in; the doors and windows were all closed for fear of monkeys; they threw them open one by one. Yes; there was a picture on the floor of the shrine, a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba! Even more wonderful is another incident which I clearly recall. Baba was then at Puttaparthi, far away from Uravakonda. We were engaged in bhajan, as usual in our little house; it was a rather a hurried bhajan, for it was a working day for the school and we teachers could not afford to go late! A monkey leaped on to the window and held fast the iron bars and grinned. We tried to shoo him off; he threw a tiny bundle of cloth into the room, and waited to note our reactions. Baba, the Divine Boy, had taught us to live in an age of miracles. So, I took the bundle and with shivering hands, untied the knot and lo!... There was a laddu (!) in it. Have you ever heard of a monkey delivering a packet of 'laddu', unopened? And, lo! there was also a letter... from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba... in His own lovely handwriting!! "I sent you a picture with a bee. I am glad you are worshipping it sincerely. Well, I Am sending you now some Prasadam. Share it with all and be happy." Must I add that I could not attend school that day? The joy was so over-powering. His grace was so overwhelming.