issue 17 ,december 2012 venugaanam - sai krushna...
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Issue 17 ,December 2012
Venugaanam
Sai Krushna Charitable Trust Newsletter
Day of Dedication Pg 2
A Divine Discourse By Bhagawan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba Atma Jyothi Pg 3
Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal
Shawshank Redemption-
A deeper Insight Pg 6
KM Nagesh
Swami Knows All our Thoughts pg 8
G Jagannathan
My Haiti Experience Pg 10
Mangala Shankar
Venugaan
am
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IN THIS EDITION
1. From the Desk of Team Venugaanam – Page 2
2. Your Birthday Gift to Swami -Divine Discourse – Page 4
3. Atmajyothi- Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal- Page 7
4. The Making of Sai Krushna Mandir and Swami’s Birthday Celebrations–
Page 10
5. Grama Seva- The Autobiography of a Tractor – KVRK Bhargav – Page 14
6. Nectarine Love Divine- Arun Krishnamurthy – Page 17
7. Golden Memories:2 – Sowmya Roopa – Page 20
8. Greed: The Root of Our Problems – Prakash Srinivasan - Page 26
From Team Venugaanam’s Desk
From Team Venugaanam’s Desk
We are delighted to bring to you the December 2012 edition of Venugaanam. This edition begins
with Swami‟s Divine call to His devotees and students to give Him a special birthday gift. While
the Divine is free from all desires, yet for the welfare of His devotees, He too expects us to give
this one gift to Him. What is this gift and what is the best way to please Swami? Read this
discourse of Swami and know it in His own words.
In Atmajyothi, we continue the deliberation on realizing our inner nature and true potential. We
are all aspects of the One Self and this deliberation throws light on how we can de-identify
ourselves from the body mind complex.
Grama Seva in Puttaparthi has always been a source of much inspiration and joy to all involved.
In this interesting article named, Autobiography of a tractor, Bhargav shares his perspective on
the role played by even a simple tractor and how the Grama Seva vehicle is a harbinger of joy in
every village that it enters.
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Arun Krishnamurthy narrates a beautiful episode from his experience as student of Swami in
Parthi. Love is Divine but when that love has the Lord as its source, then it is that much sweeter.
Its leads to the realization that “To Know God is to Love God”
SowmyaRoopa shares her experiences as a student of the Anantapur campus. In the series called
Golden moments , she narrates incidents that happened during those precious years and specific
instructions from Swami to improve our lives. In this article she shares the life of Shirdi Sai as
narrated by Parthi Sai. Prakash speaks on the havoc played by the prevalence of greed in societal
transactions. He shares his opinion on how a balance of requirements with ceiling on desires can
help us to develop as better humans.
There have been some significant developments last month. Construction is progressing rapidly
and the masonry , plumbing and electrical work are being done for the first floor also.
Swami's birthday celebrations were held on 23rd November morning at Phase 1 of Sai Krushna
Mandir amidst much grandeur. It was wonderful to have students, devotees and their families
participate in the simple but satisfying function.The great take away from this function was
the amount that can be achieved when dedicated families and individuals come together for
Swami's work keeping Him as the center and reason of their lives. As Swami says, when like
minded people unite for a noble purpose, wonders can be achieved. The best part of the function
involved the procession of the construction workers who were given a standing ovation amidst
loud cheering as they entered Sai Krushna Mandir and felicitated for their significant
contribution towards the building. Read more in the update on construction and Swami‟s
birthday celebrations update.
We are happy to have your feedback on how to make „Venugaanam‟ a better communication
tool. You may kindly mail us at contactus@saikrushnamandir.org . Do feel free to share with us
your experiences in following Swami‟s teachings or on any other theme of your choice.
Happy reading! Wish you all a Very happy and festive Christmas. Even as we celebrate the
birthday of Christ - may Swami turn our lives into a celebration of His message of love and
service.
With All our Prema,
Team Venugaanam
Sai Krushna Charitable Trust
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YOUR BIRTHDAY GIFT TO SWAMI
An extract from a divine discourse of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 23/11/1982
Emodiments of Love!
You must be thinking about the gift you
have to offer Swami on this Birthday.
You can be happy that you have given
Swami a proper gift only when you love your
fellowmen, share their sufferings, and engage
yourselves in serving them. That is the only gift I
wish for. The present given to God has to be
pure, steady and selfless Love.
On this birthday I have only one desire. I
am desiring this only to promote your
aanandha.
Rich people and people in power have
plentiful servants. But the distressed, the
poverty-stricken, and those who suffer have no
one to serve them. Go to such people and be
their friends, their kith and kin, their closest
well-wishers. Let them welcome you as such. If
you pour spirituality into the ears of those who
are tortured by hunger, it will not be
assimilated. First, quench the hunger. Give
them God in the form of food. Give them God in
the form of clothes. Give God in the form of
peace to those who are afflicted with anxiety.
Give God in the form of medicine to those who
are suffering from ill health. Give God in
whatever form which will assuage fear, pain and
sorrow. It is only when this is done that
spirituality can soak into the heart. If you act
contrariwise, instead of spiritual feelings you
will be promoting atheism itself.
The Sai-principle has no egoistic urge
There are villages where people struggle for
want of water to drink. The Government cannot
by itself provide all these conveniences.Without
the cooperation of the people the Government
cannot do anything. Government is not a free
entity. It is based on people's support. It can
work only when the people cooperate actively.
Without depending on Government, you must
carry on the development of society through
your own strength. That is real saadhana, real
seva. Strive to become embodiments of prema.
Be ready to offer all your capabilities and skills
to the Lord of All. It is God's Love that rewards
you when you engage yourselves in japa, thapa
or yaaga (Repetition of God's name, penance,
ritual of sacrifice). What greater achievement
can you strive for than receiving Love Divine
from God?
However, you must understand well the nature
and significance of this Love. You are now
experiencing and sharing this Love at the level
of your awareness of the Principle. This is a
mistake. It is too literal an interpretation. The
Principle of Love has no trace of ego or blemish.
It is fully free from selfish attachments.
Whatever Sai does, whatever Sai thinks,
whatever Sai says, whatever Sai observes, it is
all for your sake, not for Sai's sake. My only
desire is your joy, aanandha. Your aanandha is
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My aanandha. I have no aanandha apart from
yours.
You might infer, "Swami is doing this---is doing
that." But it is not for my sake; it is for your
sake. Last year on the Birthday, I spoke on this
point. For my sake (believe it or not) I do not
spend even a naya paisa. Whatever I do, I do for
the society only. Though 56 years have passed, I
have not got even one shirt or gown stitched for
Me. I am now wearing what is given by a
student, Radhakrishna of the Kingdom of Sathya
Sai. Not today, but since the beginning, the
thought that "I must have this or that" has
never arisen in Me. It is not arising now. It will
not arise at any time. Whatever thoughts arise
in Me are only for the peace and welfare of the
world, for the progress of youth, and for
transforming ideal boys and girls who will lead.
others along the path. You must dedicate
yourselves for rendering enthusiastic service to
the people of the world, recognising that the
Sai-principle has no egoistic urge.
The days of victory are coming
When this month is over, I will be journeying all
over Bhaarath, blessing those who are unable
to come here because they have neither the
strength nor the resources to do so. I wish to
afford them the chance and give them joy. An
important point Instead of arranging
programmes for Swami in towns and cities,
have them in villages. Reduce expenses and
save money in order to provide facilities in the
villages. I desire to move about in every village.
But, you have to make proper preparatory
arrangements. I can even come on foot but
hundreds of thousands of people are bound to
gather and you must see that they are well
looked after. When you undertake to fulfil this
need in a village, I will be coming and spreading
the principles and practice of Bhaaratheeya
culture. I am resolved to foster aanandha
through the revival and re-establishment of the
Bhaaratheeya way of life. This will happen
without fail. Bhaaratheeya dharma can
certainly be offered to other countries. There is
no need to despair or indulge in self
condemnation. The days of victory are coming.
We can sound the drum of triumph.
Embodiments of the Divine Aathma, you may
not be able to see it, but it is clear before My
eyes. As days pass, even those who are now not
able to recognise the truth of Swami will have
to approach with tears of repentance and
experience Me. Very soon, this will be
worldwide.
Swami is now restraining this development.
When once it is allowed to manifest, the whole
world will be transformed into Prashaanthi
Nilayam. 'So, come forward, all of you,
determined to practise in daily living the ideals
laid before you. In the coming years, you may
not get the chances you are having now. You
will not have the opportunity to be so near.
Millions will rush to this place and gather here.
This will happen soon and so, earn the
compassion of Swami and his Love through seva
activities and fill your lives with meaning.
Sai movement will advance more triumphantly
The diamond is cut into various facets. Its price
increases with each facet added unto it by the
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cutting, for its beauty shines better and better.
Those who cannot tolerate the progress of the
Organisation of the Sai-Principle it embodies
and unfolds, might decry or defame, ridicule or
obstruct; the movement will not falter. It will
advance more triumphantly, the greater the
obstruction. These will only foster and help the
spread and the splendour. Hate springs from an
evil nature, from asuuya (envy). But the
movement is based on the absence of anasuuya
(envy).
Do not pay attention to such things. Vow
among yourselves to follow the ideals and the
duties
that have been laid down and devote
yourselves to Swami’s work.
Having come to this place and availed
yourselves of this opportunity, treasure in your
hearts the things you have seen and heard and
resolve to plunge into practising them. Your
resolution and your practice must happen
simultaneously. Have a master plan and start
from tomorrow the execution of the
programme, drawn in consultation with others.
This must happen to all countries. Do not think
that only the Andhra State is Sai's. All are Sai's.
All are one. We must endeavour by all means to
realise and establish this truth in this Kali Yuga.
This is the message I am giving you to-day. I am
fulfilling all your desires. So you must fulfil this
one desire of mine.
I bless that you have long life, good health,
aanandha, Peace and Prosperity and that you
will devote your physical, mental, intellectual
and spiritual strength and skills for the services
of the country and of all mankind.
Discourse by Bhagavan at Prashaanthi Nilayam
on 23-11-1982
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ATMAJYOTHI – The Eternal Light of SatChitAnanda
By Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal
(Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal has served for over 3 decades in Swami’s
institution and is the former Principal of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva
Institutions at Muddenahalli. Inspired by Swami’s direct message to study the
Upanishads, he first learnt Sanskrit and then studied the direct works of Adi
Shankaracharya and Swami. Sincere perseverance led him to the reality of
Aham Brahmasmi and He realized and experienced Swami’s words: “I am God
and so are you”. He shares the import of the Upanishadic teachings with us in this series of
articles.)
(This is a guided discussion on the essence of Vedanta which shows us how to deliberate and
reach the conclusion that the real I is actually Divine and not the mind-body-intellect complex.)
I AM PURE, FULL, ETERNAL AND ONE. On the whole, we have deliberated and proved that the Self is Pure ( Shuddha ); and He doesn’t have an iota of impurity either of the worldliness or of the inert world. There is no valid evidence to tell that the Self is bound by wakefulness, dream and deep-sleep states; and the states are tagged to the Self. For the Self remains to exist as He is, in spite of appearing and disappearing of the states in Him, the Self is Full ( Poorna ). It is
a wrong concept that He exists somewhere else in the world and He is bound by time and space; and He is suffering ! Really, there is no place where the Self doesn’t exist; and the place is also imagined in the Self and it appears in Him; and therefore, the concept of place doesn’t agree with Him in the least. Similarly, the Self is not bound by time; for, the time is also imagined in the Self. That which is bound by time and space, at a particular point of time is destroyed by either the destruction of its parts or the
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separation of its parts; but the Self is not bound by either time or space; and therefore, the Self is Eternal One ( Nitya ). For all these reasons, the Self is One alone ( Eka ), that means, the Self doesn’t have a second entity including the self and the inert. When the self and the inert objects appear, as we have shown already, these have a mere appearance; and in the deep sleep there is no trace of living and non-living. If the dream is off, the dreamer alone remains and so the delusion is off; the rope, etc. the support of the delusion alone remain; and in the deep-sleep which is bereft of the appearance of the wakefulness and the dream, this Self alone remains; and therefore, the Self, Himself, alone is the essence of the states. Therefore, the Self, in all respects, is the One without the second. I AM THE AUSPICIOUSNESS (SHIVA). Therefore, it is decided that I am really the Auspiciousness ( Shiva ), the scripture tells that the Supreme Lord is the Cause for the birth, etc. Of the world. Similarly, our Self-Form is the Cause for the birth, appearance and disappearance of the world. As the scripture has told that the Supreme Lord has become everything; so our Self-Form has become everything. As the scripture describes that the Supreme Lord is of the Nature of Eternally Pure-Awareness-Liberation ( Nitya-Shuddha-Buddha-Svabhaava ); similarly, the
reason supported by the experience has proved that our Self also exists so. Therefore, the Self of us is the Auspiciousness ( Shiva ) as mentioned in the scripture. IV. THE REMOVAL OF THE DELUSION OF THE STEADINESS OF DUALITY. The snake of the rope and the dream are not completely the proper examples to illustrate the delusion of the self and the inert world. For, the world appears to exist even after the one has obtained the Self-Knowledge. But the snake of the rope disappears after the reality of the rope is known, and the dream world disappears in the wakefulness. If the Vedantins tell that the world really disappears after the one obtains the Knowledge of the Self; this saying of theirs may not be the proper one. For, according to the vision of the knower of the Self none exists other than Himself. Then, the Knower cannot preach the reality to anyone. Then, the empirical activity of the Teacher and student doesn’t exist. In order to solve this doubt of anyone, the following verse is quoted:
Matto Naanyat-kinchid-atraasti Vishvam Satyam Baahyam Vastu Maayopa-klrptam I Aadarsha-antar-bhaasamaanena Tulyam Mayyadvaite Bhaati Tasmaachhivoham II Meaning- Atra: here, mattah: than me, anyat: other than, satyam: real,
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vishvam: the world, kinchid: anything, naasti: doesn’t exist, baahyam: external, vastu: object, maayopa-klrptam: imagined due to delusion, aadarshaantah: in the mirror, bhaasamaanena: to the appearing ( image ), tulyam: equal, advaite: in ( me ) who don’t have the second thing, mayi: in me, bhaati: appears, tasmaat: therefore, aham: I , shivah: Auspiciousness. 4. No real world, apart from me exists here. All external objects are imagined due to delusion; and this appears in Me who am not having the second thing; and this appearance is similar to the image in the mirror. Therefore, I am Auspiciousness. EXPLANATION: NO WORLD EXISTS APART FROM ME. There is one main objection to tell that the Self is not having a second one. When the world appears clearly, in front of us, can it be negated? If the world exists really, then, how does the Self become the Unique One? (Relief: -) It is wrong to believe that the world exists along with the Self. For, the world doesn’t exist independently apart from the Self. The Self and the world are not two objects. For, the Self and the world don’t belong to the same kind of entity. If they don’t belong to the same species we cannot count them as two. If a chair is added with the other one, they become two chairs. If a chair is added with a bench, then it becomes two wooden articles
of furniture. But, there is no answer to the question: what does happen when the world is added with the Self? (Objection: -) Why there is no answer? The Self and the world are two entities. Why don’t we tell two? (Relief: -) We should not tell so. For, the Self is not an object (Padaartha). Here, pada- artha means the meaning of a word. A thing which is grasped by the mind can be identified by means of a word; and that thing is the meaning of the word. But the Self is not grasped by the mind. The Self, himself, illumines the mind. Therefore, the Self is not an object. For this reason alone, the words: Self, Auspiciousness, etc. Of the Vedantins appear meaningless for many others. If the word ‘Self’ is meaningless, none can tell that the Self doesn’t exist. For, the Self appears in the experience and by the support of the experience of the Self alone we identify the mind and the word that appears to the mind. (Objection: -) If the Self is not an object, let it be so. By the experience of the Self and that of the world alone, don’t we decide the existence of the two? (Relief: -) No, not at all. For, objects exist in a place or in the same time can be counted in the manner, ‘one, two, three, etc.’ The Self and the world don’t exist either in the same time or in the same space; and both of them don’t belong to the same species. Then, how, at all, numerical can be applied to the Self and the world?
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(Objection: -) If both of them are not separate two things, how could this usage of words be possible? Is it possible to tell that the Self and the world are one? (Relief: -) The One Principle can be seen in two ways. Therefore, we use two words. From the view point of the wise, the Principle is the Self and from the view point of ignorant people, the Principle is the world. They call the Self as the world. (Objection: -) If the One Self, himself, appears in two ways, why are the two not real? (Relief: -) We have already answered this. The world is not real. The ignorant people misconceive the false world in the Self. (Objection: -) If the world is unreal, why do the people who know the Self also see it? As the dream world disappears in the wakeful state, why doesn’t this world disappear, when the Knowledge of the Self is dawned? (Relief: -) If we really view the world, certainly, it disappears. Or, instead of
telling that it vanishes after the dawn of the Knowledge; say that the world never exists itself is the correct statement. Therefore, the world that has to be vanished, does never exist at all. (Objection: -) Then, why does the world appear? (Relief: -) The reason for which the world appears need not be given. The world is not real, it is a mere appearance. It is enough to know this much. (Objection: -) Let it be an appearance. After knowing the reality, why should not the appearance go as the dream does? (Relief: -) There is no such a rule that all the appearances disappear by knowing the reality. There is a rule for all appearances: At first, we consider that appearance, itself, is real; and after the dawning of the knowledge the reality applied to it alone vanishes.
……to be continued in the next edition of Venugaanam
With the Divine Blessings and grace of our Beloved Swami, the ground floor of Phase 1 of the children’s
home – Sai Krushna Mandir – was inaugurated on 23rd November, 2012. Swami's birthday celebrations
were held on 23rd November morning at Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir amidst much grandeur.
It was wonderful to have students, devotees and their families participate in the simple but satisfying
THE MAKING OF SAI KRUSHNA MANDIR- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE & SWAMI’S BIRTHDAY UPDATE
Figure 1: SKM as it will be after completion of Phase 1 and Phase2
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function.
The great take away from this function was the amount that can be achieved when dedicated families
and individuals come together for Swami's work keeping Him as the center and reason of their lives.
As Swami says, when like minded people unite for a noble purpose, wonders can be achieved. Currently,
the plumbing, masonry and electrical works are all being taken up for the first floor also. The entire
building would be finished by February/ March. It is expected that Sai Krushna Mandir will be functional
as a children’s home from April/May 2013. That way, the children who will be coming will also be able to
join during the change of academic session. We also invite applications for suitable volunteer families
who will be willing to live with and take care of the children.
Here is a brief of the events on 23rd November morning:
The
Ganesha
temple in
the
school
and the
ground
floor of
the semi finished children's home were all decorated
beautifully. The day started off with Vedam chanting
(Rudram) by Shrikanth and Satyanarayana Raju. The
childr
en too
chant
ed
some
soulfu
l
prayer
s.
This was followed by some fast bhajans by Prakash S
which the Primary school children followed with lot of
'josh'. Aithal Sir spoke about the significance of the occasion and emphasised Swami's message of living
one's words through the famous story: "Cheppinatu Chesthara."
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There was a session of Dumb-charades
which the children enjoyed involving the enacting out of Kannada personalities/ places. The best part of
the function involved the procession of the construction workers who were given a standing ovation
amidst loud cheering as they entered Sai Krushna
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Mandir.
Figure 2 : Sai Krushna Mandir Phase 1 after completion
The construction workers and children joined all the volunteers in singing birthday songs during the cake
cutting function. Arathi was sung and the Brahmarpanam mantram chanted before lunch was served for
all the construction workers and volunteers. The workers also individually introduced themselves and
their contributions to the project, while blankets were distributed for all of them as tokens of gratitude
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and appreciation for their outstanding work. Their contribution in terms of helping to build a home for
under-privileged children was also applauded even as it was highlighted that their efforts were not
restricted to putting bricks and cement together; rather it was their offering to Swami in building a
Divine home and shaping a brighter future for the children who would stay there.
All the workers were very happy and touched by the appreciation. Prasadam ( chocolates/ mixture,
sweets, and Vibhuthi) was also distributed for all the children.
All those involved left the place with a deep sense of joy and satisfaction.
We thank Swami for allowing us to celebrate His birthday in Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir.
We look forward to all your active involvement and participation in this God given opportunity. We also
welcome you to come and visit the site and witness the making of Sai Krushna Mandir. From our side,
we will keep you updated through Venugaanam and the website. You are free to contact us directly for
any further information. We are confident that, just as Swami’s bounteous blessings ensured the
procurement of excellent drinking water and land, Swami’s grace will crown our genuine intentions and
He will continue to guide and bless the entire effort.
DIFFERENT STROKES-AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A TRACTOR:
REMINISCENCES OF SRI SATHYA SAI GRAMA SEVA FROM THE EYES OF A
TRACTOR
By KVRK Bhargav
(Bhargav is a student of Swami who after completing his B.Tech in Textile
Engineering graduated with an MBA from the the Sri Sathya Sai
University in 2001. Ever since, he has had the great fortune of waiting for Swami’s direct
guidance. He has been blessed with many interactions with Swami and he pursues Vedic science
as a hobby to understand how it complements and dovetails spirituality. In this article, he shares
his insights on how Grama Seva plays a profound role in impacting the lives of all the
participants and the beneficiaries)
I chugged out of the Gopuram gate with a bunch of boisterous boys chanting Jai Bolo Bhagwan
Sri Satya Sai Baba ji ki. Another arduous day started for me in the annual Sri Satya Sai Grama
Seva 2012. They call me the beast of burden perhaps mockingly. I am always an object of
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dislike due to my lack of agility, a bumpy ride and status of a stock vehicle. I am a tractor named
T4 and I consider myself a part of the Grama Seva irrespective of what others think. I have
got used to this step motherly treatment of starting half an hour to forty five minutes before the
whole convoy leaves which is a dampener for students to join me. The remonstrances showed by
Adi Narayana ,my driver, regarding leaving early were brushed aside by the teacher in-charge
who said rather dismissively, "After all the tractor is like a tortoise, it can't match the speed of
the mini trucks which are like the hares. Tractor has to reach in time to the village to supply us
with food prasadam and ladoos."
Grama Seva every year generally employs mini trucks for transporting students, dhotis and
sarees and tractors are used to transport food packets and ladoos and they act as stock vehicles.
Tractors generally reach before the trucks and wait till the whole service is completed,
replenishing stock wherever necessary. They start their return journey with the excess stock of
food packets which they distribute to the village folk en-route to Puttaparthi.
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While making a slow and steady progress I encounter sporadic groups of villagers especially
women who at the sight of the vehicle with the banner of 'Sri Satya Sai Grama Seva' are
overjoyed. But as the realization dawns on them that it is a tractor they comment, "Sister don't
waste your time here, it is a tractor it doesn't carry sarees." This makes me feel crestfallen and I
rue, „why I am not liked by anyone, why my service is not recognized?‟ But seeing the beautiful
photo of Bhagwan leading from the front, I accept it as His will.
A convoy of mini trucks whiz past me, honking their horns looking at me with disdain. I ignore
all of them silently going along with my business. While trundling down the rugged terrain I
overhear the chat of a group of boys traveling in my trolley. One boy says, "Whatever
reservations one may have about it, tractor is the best vehicle as it is open giving us the luxury of
enjoying the scenery while traveling. Moreover, its slow pace gives us the extra opportunity to
enjoy nature to the fullest." Another boy adds, "Tractor is not for the weak hearted, it is for brave
hearts like us who love adventure and enjoy the jumps and bumps of this journey." This gives a
boost to my sagging spirits and some much needed impetus for the journey.
During the slow journey I encounter a hamlet with a small school perched on top of a hillock.
The school kids start jumping at the sight of a tractor with beaming faces as they know the most
desirous ladoos will be available here. The joy in the eyes of the kids give a new lease of life to
me as I am most sought after by the pure innocent village toddlers. I get an extra shot of energy
in negotiating the journey.
Reaching the village Kesavapuram, a distance of 35kms from Puttaparthi, I take up the task of
supplying food and Ladoos and when the service is almost over, a bunch of villagers approach
the teachers with a request of providing prasadam to them. The teachers chide them for
approaching the vehicles and ask them to stay at their respective houses where the prasadam will
be given to them in accordance with the explicit command of Bhagawan. The villagers reply
with despondent faces, "We live far away from this village near our fields, the road leading to
our houses is not a good one. How you will be able to reach there?" Thinking for a while, the
teachers reply with an air of relief in their tone, "Don't worry, we have our tractor which can
negotiate any type of terrain."
The tractor driver Adi Narayana is summoned and is asked to take up this difficult portion of this
service. Few pairs of saree and dhoti are loaded and I set out for this special and arduous journey
carved out only for me to accomplish. Like the deft strokes of brush of a master painter, Adi
Narayana negotiates the serpentine cart path and a small stream wading through it in couple of
feet deep water. I finally reach this settlement of few houses with my head held high basking in
this new found importance. The residents of this small colony are overjoyed seeing Swami's
prasadam reaching them. With beaming faces, the poor and innocent folk of this hamlet shower
praises on me for making this happen giving me a feeling of fulfillment. An elder of the hamlet
pats me and says, his eyes filled with gratitude, "Every year it is only the tractor which negotiates
this treacherous journey to provide us with Swami's prasadam."
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Ruminating on this new found utility I chug back to the ashram alone with tears of gratitude
realizing that every instrument has a role to play though a small one in fulfilling His mission.
NECTARINE LOVE DIVINE Arun Krishnamurthy
Arun K is s tudent of Swami who graduated from Prashanthi Nilayam with an MBA in 2007. He also has a bachelors in Electronics and Communication Engineering from SASTRA university. He has worked in reputed organizations like KPMG, Ericcson and Cognizant. He is an eloquent speaker with a passion for helping the needy. In this article , Arun shares his experience as a student in Parthi which helped him to understand an important facet of Swami’s divine love.
“To Know God is to Love God”, I was taught when I was a child. For a very long time the meaning of this
seemingly simple yet very profound statement kept eluding me.
Perhaps just to discover the inner meaning of this statement I was given the wondrous opportunity to
study in Swami’s institution. I joined the MBA course in Prasanthi Nilayam in the year 2005. The first
grace of Swami was shown to us when after a hiatus of few years he called upon the new joining MBA
students to Brindavan, Whitefield. It made the feeling absolutely special for us new comers. I was totally
overawed by the occasion and i saw other students were touching Swami’s feet, holding hands and
Swami was responding to all of them with such sweet smiles and talking to a few of the students. I
mustered just enough courage to go and touch Swami’s hands with my two fingers and then waited to
see if there was any reaction. Swami just smiled.
After a month or so Swami came down to Puttaparthi and i wrote a letter. Actually one can call that
letter a laundry list of desires and demands. But somehow the opportunity seemed to elude me, and i
was getting desperate. After few months of waiting i could finally give the letter to Swami. A sense of
relief ensued.
Time passed fast in Puttaparthi, It always does when one is with Swami. I would say i unlearnt and learnt
a lot in Puttaparthi from teachers and friends. It was an experience which opened me to a whole new
inner world.
An incident occurred during Athi Rudra Mahayagnam in Parthi which was pretty special for me. I was
part of the vedam group and so was sitting in the front chanting Rudram along with the entire
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congregation. A separate place was allocated to Vedam students right in front of Swami. It was quite a
momentous occasion for me personally because i was always fascinated by the intonations in Rudram-
Chamakam and chanting right in front of Swami made it even more special.
A few days during the yagnam passed like this. One day i was back at the hostel after the evening
program in the mandir. One student brother approached me and said that the next day was my “Rose”
chance. “Rose” chance is a great opportunity for a wonderful close interaction with Swami whereby the
student offers a “Rose” to Swami and can have Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan.
So it was my chance for the Rose offering next day, and my parents were also present during the
occasion and it made the event all the more special. So i was looking forward to it with all eagerness.
The next day, I wore a brand new pair of whites and was waiting inside the bhajan mandir. Since the
Athi Rudra Mahayagnam was going on, i was told to offer the rose while Swami was getting into his car
and returning back to the residence. (Those days Swami used to arrive to the Sai Kulwant hall in a car).
There were many TV sets provided at various places in the hall for a better view of the proceedings and i
was having darshan from one such TV set placed in the verandah. And then suddenly i noticed that
Swami was calling for the vedam boys who were sitting and chanting Rudram. He was distributing
watches to them and then i suddenly realized that i would not get the same. If not for the Rose chance i
would be sitting and receiving the same from Swami.
Tormented by this fact, my mind was tossed to all sides and then the battle began inside which i might
term mightier than the Kurukshetra war. One part of the mind was hissing with thoughts of jealousy and
the missed opportunity and there was ample amount of boxing Swami in my mind. And simultaneously
another angelic voice was guiding my mind to calmness.
All the positive proverbs were reinforced viz. “Whatever happens, happens for good” seemed
effeminate against the torment of my mind.
To distract myself, i started chanting the Gayatri Mantra and this went on for quite some time. My mind
surprisingly got little calmer and after some time i was given an indication by a student brother that
Swami was about to leave.
This was a signal for me to go ahead and offer the Rose to Swami. What happened hereafter was a
defining moment for me.
Swami came walking down on the verandah helped by two students and i knelt down. He gave me one
of the sweetest smiles I had ever seen. He took my rose and patted me on my head and cheeks. He
looked deep in my eyes. I was deeply touched. I felt wave after wave of inexplicable bliss. I felt such an
upheaval of divine love that nothing else mattered. The disappointment, hollowness, sense of
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incompleteness - everything just vanished. At that point I understood the power of love, its healing
power and its grandeur. It was simple,pure and full. Words fail to describe the experience and the
feeling.
That night i realized that what i was asking Swami was all trinkets when he actually wanted to give such
divine bliss. The letter with the demands seemed now so trivial to me that i felt ashamed. In one stroke,
Swami had changed my perception.
Time passed and on the last day of my MBA course, I was sitting in Sai Kulwant Hall, it was holiday time
so very few students were present, and Swami suddenly started distribution. I went with a letter near
Swami, and I realized Swami was distributing watches to students.
I received from Swami’s hands a watch and I wondered at the greatness of Swami as to how he would
not let me go out with any sense of disappointment. I gave him the letter. I had written in the letter
“Swami, I want you, Please always be with me”. I prayed and spoke to Swami the very same words and
he replied back “I will”. These two words still echo in my mind and have been the pillar of support during
my highs and lows.
I felt life had come a full circle. I had experienced Love in action. I realized God is love and finally the
meaning dawned upon me “To know God is not just to Love God as a singular person or a symbol but
Love in itself becomes a reward devoid of any expectations”
GOLDEN MOMENTS – By Sowmya Roopa
Sowmya Roopa completed her B.A in 1987 and B.Ed in 1988. She received
her gold meda l for distinction in B.Ed from the Sri Sathya Sai University. She
taught at the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar Ootacamund from 1989 till 1991.
From 1991 till 2000, she taught at the Sai Sathya Sai Primary school,
Puttaparthi. Sowmya Roopa was invited to the Sai Sathya Sai Schools,
Rishikesh and Kathmandu in 2000 and 2001. There she shared her
knowledge about value-oriented education with the teachers and students
through talks, poems, songs, charts and demonstration. Currently, she
writes value-based skits and paints quotation boards. In this series , she
shares her experiences and learning as a student and staff in Swami’s educational institutions.
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Golden Moments- His Story as heard from Him
It was a joyous trip to Puttaparthi in 1984 since it was my first trip as a student studying in first
year B.A at the Sri Sathya Sai college for women at Ananthpur. It was Ramzan day. Bhagavan
called us for an interview in the mandir hall. Bhagavan entered and asked “ Yemi Samacharam?
Any questions. The librarian Mrs Pushpa Ramana requested Bhagwan to tell us about his early life
as Shirdi Sai Baba, since nobody knew about Shirdi Baba’s parentage, childhood etc. Bhagawan
graciously revealed the secrets of his parentage and life in His previous Avatar as Shirdi Baba .The
following is the record of that interview in 1984 as written in my dairy at that time itself.
Every little thing is of some value. Until and unless we know the value of a thing we cannot put it into
proper use. If the husk is not removed from paddy, we do not get rice .We cannot wear cotton bales as
such, only when it is made into thread and woven as cloth we can use it. A rock from a mountain is not
worshipped until it is made into an idol. Diamond is precious only if it is extracted from the earth. Even
gold mixed with copper, silver etc is of lesser value than purified gold free from other metals. Without
the husk, paddy is not different from rice. Human life gains Divine value when the satwa ,rajas and
tamoguna are taken away from it. Life with desires is man, life without desires is God.
On the peaceful banks of the Godavari river was the village called Patri. A pious Brahmin couple,
Gangabhava and Devagiriamma lived there. They had everything, wealth and happiness-but for a child
,Gangabhava’s work was to help people cross the river Godavari in ferry-boats. He had some men under
him employed for this business. One night there was torrential rain accompanied by a storm.
Gangabhava told his wife that he may not be coming home that night as many people might need to
cross the river which was in spate. so Devagiriamma bolted the door and sat down to worship Gowri
Devi of whom the couple were devoted.
It was around ‘ten o’ clock in the night, Devagiriamma heard a knock on the outer door, thinking that
her husband had come back, she opened the door, there was an old man of eighty outside the door who
said,”Amma, I am hungry”.Devagiriamma honored her guests ,she had not eaten her food, nor had her
husband , so there was plenty of food in the house. She gave him food and made a bed for him outside,
she then closed the door and sat down again. After sometime again there was a knock at the door ,she
thought that he must be wanting to answer the call of the nature. She opened the door and the old man
told her that he was not getting sleep, Devgiriamma was now perturbed ,she asked him what she could
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do for him. The man said that he wanted someone to press his legs. Now , the servant was not in the
house. Devagiriamma did not know what to do , when the man said that he wanted only a women to
press his legs. She had no other go but covered her head with her saree and went to the village, asking
every woman to come to her house, offering a lot of money for the job. But all refused to come in the
heavy downpour. Devagiriamma came back and prayed to Gowri Devi. She felt hesitant to press the old
man’s legs herself, nor could she fail to satisfy her guest. Meanwhile, she heard another knock at the
back door and went to open it. There was a woman outside who said that she had come in answer to
Devagiriamma’s search in the village and agreed to press the old man’s legs. Devagiriamma, now
relieved, thanked Gowri Devi for getting her a woman. She heard a knock but when she got up from her
seat she saw Parvathi and Ishwara standing before her, spreading their radiance, she fell at there feet.
Then Parvathi asked Ishwara to grant a boon. But Ishwara said that since He had come only to test her
and Parvathi had come in answer to her prayers, she Herself should give her a boon. All this
Devagiriamma did not hear because God’s language man cannot understand ,so Parvathi blessed
Devagiriamma with a son and a daughter. A son for carrying on the vamsha (family lineage) and a
daughter for kanyadana(giving the daughter away as a gift in marriage). Ishwara, greatly pleased with
Devagiriamma told her that he Himself would come has her third son .And then , Parvathi and Ishwara
disappeared .Devagiriamma was so overjoyed that she kept on roaming about in the house, Gangabhava
came home and Devagiriamma told him all that had happened . He however thought that his wife being
left to herself must have had illusions in the night and said “Alright, alright”.
However, after nine months she had a son and after another year a daughter. She was carrying another
child and as she neared her ninth month, at this time by Vaishnavi Maya or the will of God, Gangabhava
developed an earnest desire for vairagya. He wanted to renounce his family and go away to the forest.
Devagiriamma pleaded with him telling him that when the boon had come true twice, even the third
would come true and Ishwara himself would be born to them as a son. But Gangabhava did not listen
and he left the house. Devagiriamma was so devoted to her husband that she sent her son and daughter
to her mother’s house with a servant and followed him. On the way as they passed through a forest, she
walking behind him slowly. She felt her labour pains and pleaded with him to wait for sometime so that
he could have the darshan of Ishwara. But Gangabhava wished to see Ishwara himself and not in the
worldly form. Devgiriamma sat down under a tree and immediately a beautiful baby was born. But she
in her ardent desire to follow her husband , covered her new- born son with leaves and left him.
It was Ramzan, the 9th month of the year. A fakir and his wife were traveling in a tonga , near the forest.
His wife wanted to answer the call of the nature and so, she got down and went into the forest. In the
forest all of a sudden she heard a baby cry. She went a little a little distance and found the new –born
baby near her feet, covered with leaves. Thinking that the mother may be somewhere nearby, she called
the tonga- driver and her husband. All of them searched in the forest but did not find the mother. The
fakir and his wife were childless so, the wife thought that Allah must have given her the child without
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any trouble or pains or even a nine- month waiting. They took the child and went back home, where all
the people were happy at her having got a child.
The little boy grew up and was affectionately called Baba. When he was 8 years old, one day playing
marbles with other boys of his age. He gradually won all the marbles from all the boys. One of the boys
named Rahul, was a rich man’s son; he got angry when he was defeated and ran home to get some
more marbles. He found no marbles at home, but in the pooja room there was the Shaligrama(a round
black stone which is a symbol of Vishnu) which looked almost like a marble. The boy took it when he saw
that his mother wasn’t there and returned to play. Baba however knew that it was a Shaligrama. He won
it and immediately swallowed it too. The boy then began to fight with Baba; the boy’s mother saw them
from a window of the hours and came down to separate them. The boy then complained to his mother
about Baba : “He has won all my marbles, on top of that he has won my special precious marbles too
and swallowed it”. His mother then asked him, ”I did not give you any money, how did you get a
precious marbles”. The boy confessed that he had taken it from the pooja room. His mother was anxious
to have the Shaligram as it had to be worshipped everyday. She told him that she would give Him many
marbles, if only He gave that marble back, Baba showed His open- Stretched palms and said “I don’t
have the marbles”. The boy however said ,”He put it in his mouth , Amma ,he put it in his mouth. ”His
mother asked Baba to open His mouth and to her wonder she saw all the worlds in it. After this she
became very devoted to Baba and used to feed him when her husband wasn’t there because they were
Hindus and Baba was a Muslim boy. Hindus and Muslims had great differences and disputes amongst
themselves.
Around this time, the fakir died and his wife was left alone with Baba. Baba at this time used to chant
mantras in mosques and Allah O Akbar in the temples and even worshipped the shaligrama in the
mosque .The three things Allah O Akbar, La illaha el Allaha mean God is great none greater than God is
there who protects you like Allah and the deservedness of Allah is to be worshipped. Baba used to recite
all this in the temples and mantras in the mosques. So everyone started complaining about him to the
Fakirs wife. Tired of him, she put Baba in an ashram of a man called Venkusha. Venkusha was doubtful
whether to take Baba or not as the Hindus in the ashram were going to Shirdi. Baba accompanied them.
In Shirdi, Baba sat outside a Vishnu temple where Mhalsapati was the priest .He came out of the temple
after offering food (Naivaidya) to God and saw Baba .He gave Baba prasadam but Baba refused to take
anything saying that he had already had it inside the temple. Mhalsapati was surprised for, he had been
all alone in the temple it was a small temple too. He thought that Baba was mad and was about to go
away when, being an ardent devotee of God, it struck him that there may be some deeper meaning in
Baba’s words. He turned back and saw radiance on his face. From then on, Mhalsapati made Baba stay
in the room where the materials for pooja were kept and care of him and fed him. Baba too used to
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teach philosophical truths to Mhalsapati. At this time the people of Shirdi came to Mhalsapati and asked
him what Baba had studied and who was His guru. Baba had replied that He had not studied any texts
but all texts and scriptures were in Him. He never had any guru but He Himself was the guru. He did not
have any riches but all riches were in Him. And He had is great compassion for the people. The men
however did not believe Him and thought Him to be mad. One of them, a wrestler called Janaki Das
asked Baba if He knew wrestling. Baba said He knew wrestling. Then Janaki Das asked Him to wrestle
with him. Then everyday he used to wrestle with Baba and every time Baba would win. Janaki Das
would fall at every blow of Baba. He got very angry as he was losing his prestigious and respectable
position. The people in the village started mocking at his defeat in the hands of a mere boy. So , one day
Mhalsapati requested Baba to let Janaki Das to win once , or else he might harm Baba. Baba listened to
the plea of His devotee, He entered into a contract with Janaki Das. If Janaki Das lost in wrestling he
must take up sanyasa and if Baba lost he would forever tie a saffron cloth around His head all His life. He
never tied a cloth because of any wound as wrong interpretations have been made. If He had got a
wound He would not have tied a bandage lifelong, he would tie it only till his wound healed.
When Baba was 75 years old, Abdul Baba was with Him. At the time of His leaving the body
Mahalashpati felt very sad, so Baba promised him that after 8 years he would again be born in Madras
state. At that time Andhra was in Madras, He said that he would be born at Puttaparthi. Avatars are
born at the confluence of rivers, those flowing from South to North. Thus Shirdi Baba was born at Patri
by the banks of godavari flowing from South to North, a confluence of two rivers –and- This body (Sri
Sathya Sai) was born at Parthi ,by the banks of Chitravathi and Kushavati , Prema Sai would be also born
in Gunaparthi in Mysore by the banks of Tungabhadra a confluence of Tunga and Bhadra.
Just as Yashoda saw the worlds in the mouth of Krishna, just as the wealthy lady saw in the mouth of
Shridi Baba ,in this body too(Swami’s body) it happened once Karnam Subbamma, a devoted lady and
wife of Karnam Narayana Rao of Parthi was the first to recognize Swami as an extraordinary boy. The
father of this body (Swami’s) had disputes with Karnam Narayan Rao due to the differences in the caste,
so Subbamma used to feed Baba in private. In between their houses there was a low wall and a higher
wall with a ventilator. On the days when Karnam would go for Jamma Bandh, Subbamma fed Baba with
morsels of food. She desired to offer Him water to drink. The tumbler of water could not pass through
ventilator, so, Swami used to open the mouth and she used to pour the water down. Once when she
was carefully feeding Him (she had to hide from Kamalamma, the second wife of Karnam, who would
have told Karnam) she started screaming Rama, Krishna, Govinda etc. Kamalamma came running and
asked her what was wrong, .She kept on saying “oh, I am seeing so many things “.After this she never
cared for privacy and brought swami to her house for food. She used to say that even if her husband
leaves her or the whole village drives her out, she would never leave Swami. She fed him with handfuls
along with other children and while giving him, said softly ‘Swami, Swami’ inside and outside she said
“This is my offering of love”. Karnam’s death took place and all the Brahmins in the village even beggars
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never visited her house. They refused to speak to her for five years. For Karnam’s obituary too they
refused to come. So, Subbamma in her deep devotion offered everything to Sathya and considered this
act sufficient for his obituary.
Around this time, Swami was asked to sing the prayer song in school. He recited, “Besides the bank of
chitravathi surrounded by the mountains like a wall is a place founded by Bukkaraya and Harihararaya,
there will be a grand palace in which Sai, full of compassion, will reside. The printing of Sanathana
Sarathi, said Swami, would also be done in Parthi. Kasturi was surprised because the matter had already
been sent to Ananthapur which was returned at that time. A man came from Tadepatri, saying that
orders had been given to him so he would print the Sanathana Sarathi. Swami’s words thus came true.
Das Ganu was the first enemy of Baba of Shirdi. He used to recite Harikaatha and before starting he
used to abuse Baba for half an hour- why do people go to him, he does such and such things, people do
not have any senses etc. He had a voice like a gun so he was named Das gannu, Mahalashpati felt bad at
this abuse and he wanted to send a strong man Shyam to gannu to fight him,. But Baba told him” So
many years you have stayed with me have you learnt only this”. You are getting angry because he calls
me gajadonga (great thief) but, aren’t you happy when someone sings “Bada chita chora……” In either
way he is remembering me, that’s all I want.
Once Mhalsapati took Das Ganu for a picnic to a certain place. He was talking to him and walking, when
Dasganu, being a fat man felt very thirsty and was unable to walk any further. He wanted water but
there was no well nearby. Mhalsapati then prayed to Baba to show Das Ganu some miracle so that he
believed in him. All of a sudden there sprouted a spring of water at Das Ganu’s feet. Mhalsapati then
told him that this was a miracle of Baba, but Ganu said that he might not have noticed it before.
However Mahalashpati told him to drink the water. Dasganu drank and kept his feet in the water and
relaxed. After sometime his feet felt very hot and looking down, he saw no spring .He then realized the
greatness of Swami. At the same time, while in Shirdi -from the feet of Baba, water started flowing. On
being asked, He said he had sent water in answer to Mahalashpati’s prayer.
Baba left His mortal frame in 1918 on Vijayadashmi day at 3.30am. While He was being buried they
found His grave was filled with flowers like that of Kabir three days after His death. Kabir was buried on
the same day i.e. a Thursday .Thursday is guruvara as the bodies of the three gurus (Nanak, Kabir and
Baba) were buried on that day.
(To be continued in the next article of Venugaanam in the Golden Moments Series)
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GREED: The Root of our Problems
By Prakash Srinivasan
(Prakash is a student of Swami who did his B.Com(Hons) in Brindavan
campus and then his MBA and PG Diploma in Indian Culture and
Philosophy in Prashanthi Nilayam. During his student days, Prakash had
the good fortune of being a Mandir bhajan singer and has enjoyed
singing for our Lord many times. A passionate lover of music, food and
nature- Prakash is currently heading the European system operations for
Hewlett Packard(HP) from the Bangalore office. His enthusiasm, humour
and cheerfulness are contagious In this article, Prakash shares his insights on greed has become
the cause of much of the world’s problem today. He voices his understanding of the statement
that world has enough for every man’s need but not for his greed.
Each of us is blessed with one‟s own strengths and weaknesses. But there are some qualities that
God has bestowed on all of us that assume the form of vices in us. One of the most addictive of
all of them is greed. Each of us has been greedy at many points of our life, it just does not mean
amassing of wealth but it starts in the smallest of forms from our childhood. Only a handful of
people in the world must have conquered this thorn-like addiction.
The damage that human greed is doing to the world is unimaginable. It has manifested itself in a
million destructive forms. I am not trying to sermonize on how to control greed but just
reminding myself through this article that I need to live within my limits. Let‟s look at a few
major ways in which greed had brought about large-scale destruction:
The looting of earth‟s resources in the guise of “development”. This is self-explanatory.
Some of the ways we do this is by tree-felling, digging for oil, mining etc. These
activities though very beneficial in the short-term lead to immense ecological destruction
in the long-term. Many scientific studies have proven that global warming is the
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consequence of all these activities. Global warming has made the weather in many places
very crazy where the winters are getting warmer and the summers hotter. Just this
afternoon I was complaining about the blistering heat on a Nov afternoon in Bangalore
which is as crazy as it can get!
Accumulation of wealth and riches: This can be a very debatable topic, because it is
difficult to define how much is “enough”. But when I look at myself I can easily identify
when I am crossing the line and encouraging a want which is actually not my need. But
my desire urges me to satisfy that want and I end up accumulating what I never needed at
all. As a responsible citizen of society I feel the need to give back at least some portion of
it (say 20%, let‟s not talk about Chanakya Neeti which says 25% which is too much by
today‟s standards) to the people who have been less privileged. I start counting my
blessings at this time when I thank God that he has given me all that I needed. Everyday I
face a hundred temptations of buying many things that I do not need and it‟s a battle to
stop myself from yielding to the temptation. Now I realize that ceiling on desires is so
tough.
In Everyday Life: One of the greatest joys of the senses is eating. Many a times I have
eaten more than what my body can take and suffered. Yet I have not learnt and the reality
hits hard when the body gives up and strikes back. Just that one extra Rasgulla or Gulab
Jamoon can spoil our day!
Corruption: This is probably the worst that greed can get and it is the lust for money.
Corruption is destroying countries and economies. It has reduced India from “India
Shining” to “India Dying.” The common man is completely frustrated because corruption
has percolated to every part of our lives. I have experienced it in so many ways that I will
give an award to anyone who does not expect anything extra.
It‟s not possible to eliminate greed completely from our lives but we definitely need to define our
limits. Greed needs to be controlled starting from the individual to the global levels otherwise we
will have the rare distinction of being the species who destroyed themselves.
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