sri sathya sai kalpadruma

III

Om Sri Sai Ram

SRI SATHYA SAI KALPADRUMA

HOLY BOOK FOR DAILY RECITATION

BY

SHRI PRASHANT PRABHAKAR PALEKAR

MUMBAI

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

BY

SMT. SHANTI P. BHAWALKAR

MUMBAI

PUBLISHED BY

SRI SATHYA SAIBOOKS & PUBLICATIONS TRUST

MUMBAI-400093

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SRI SATHYA SAI KALPADRUMA

E-Book Edition : 19 April 2011

ByPrashant Prabhakar Palekar,C/702, Suraj Muktiyash Co-op. Housing Society,Veer Savarkar Road, Dadar (West),Mumbai-400028,Telephone : 65808257, Mobile : 9820173062

English Translation by :

Smt. Shanti P. BhawalkarMumbai.

© Shri Sathya Sai Books & Publication Trust

Publisher

Shri Satya Sai Books & Publication TrustDharmakshetra, Mahakali Caves Road,Andheri (E), Mumbai-400093.

Telephone : 28377999, Telefax : 28234646

Computer Typing

P. B. JoshiMumbai

Layout

Shrikant NikamImplement Advertising Services,Mumbai

Printer

Print Process,B-23, Royal Industrial Estate,Wadala, Mumbai-400031

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ATMANIVEDANAM

Although formless and beyond all attributes, You have incar-

nated in human form to uplift mankind. Innumerable distressed souls

and seekers of wealth, seekers of knowledge and realised souls call

out to You by various names. You respond to each and every one of

them. This humble effort to describe the glory of 108 names out of the

innumerable names, is placed at Thy Divine Lotus Feet ...

Pitäsi Lokasya Charächarasya

Twamasya Poojyasya Gururgariyan

Na Twamaso Stabhyadhikaha Kutonyo

Lokatrayé Apyapratima Prabhävaha

‘You are the Creator of this animate and inanimate world; You are

the One worthy of worship and the Guru of gurus. In all the three

worlds, there is none as unparalleled and brilliant as You.

Prashant Prabhakar Palekar

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Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba inspired me to start writing

this book on Chaitra Shuddha 15 (Hanuman Jayanti) and it was

completed on Magha Shuddha 15, by divine grace.

That night, Swami came in my dream and gave His darshan

and blessings. He also gave instructions about ‘Pârâyana’ of this

book. Following are the instructions given by Bhagawan for the

week-long ‘Pârâyana’.

On any Thursday, after the morning ablutions and bath,

perform ‘Mânas Pooja’ of Bhagawan Baba and light a flame in the

heart. (Bhagawan said, “I especially like the effulgence of the inner

flame”.)

The first day (Thursday) onwards, read everyday the

‘Ashtottara Shata Namavali’ (108 names of Bhagawan Baba)

followed by stories related to fifteen names and perform ‘arati’.

On Wednesday (the 7th day) read the last eighteen chapters

and perform ‘arati’.

On the following day (Thursday), perform ‘Mânas Pooja’ and

arati. If possible, do a Nârayan seva.

* * *

Pârâyana: Sacred daily reading for 7 days.

Mânas Pooja: Mental worship.

Nârayan seva: to feed ‘Narayan’ who dwells in the hearts of the

needy and the downtrodden.

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OM SRI SATHYA

SAIRÄMA MÄNAS POOJÄ STOTRAM

(HYMN OF MENTAL WORSHIP OF

SRI SATHYA SAI RAMA)

Sampoojya Sai Gananäth Mädow

Sri Sai Té Mänasa Poojanasya

Sankalpya Shuddham Manasä Vidhänam

Karomi Tat Sweekuru Sai Deva

‘Having first worshipped Sai Ganesh, I

desire to offer to Thee the perfect mode of mental worship through my purified

mind. Please accept it Oh God, Sri Sai !’

Ähooya Chatwä Hridayäsané Mé

Prakshälitäva Shrujalen Pädow

Arghyam Tava Prema Rasen Tubhyam

Panchämrutam Pancha Mamendriyani

‘I invite Thee to the seat of my heart and wash both Thy feet with the

water of my eyes.

The auspicious offering (Arghya) to Thee is the

ambrosia of Thy Love and my five senses make the five fold nectar

(Panchâmruta).’

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Buddhow Sthitam Sätwik Bhäva Toyam

Shraddhä Supätré Cha Tawäbhisheké

Snänam Samantram Prabhu Sairam

Sri Sathya Saieesh Namo Namasté

‘The virtuous tendencies that are present in my intellect form the water

in the receptacle of faith for Thy holy bath. Thy bath will be the ‘Mantra’

recital as - ‘Oh Sai, Obeisance to Thee ! Obeisance.’

Suchandanam Té Mama Namrataiva

Nishtäkshatäh Kumkum Ranjitäshcha

Mé Deha Patré Tulasi Cha Bilva

Etäni Tubhyam Manasärpayämi

‘The sandalwood paste for Thee is only my humility. Firm adherence

forms the holy grains of rice which are coloured red with vermillion. And I

also offer my body to Thee, as the two leaves Tulsi and Bilva.’

Sevä Shamah Prema Damashcha Shäntir

Dharmashcha Satyam Cha Nitänta Bhaktihi

Käyen Vächä Manasäpya Himsä

Pushpäni Chaitäni Susanchitäni

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‘Service, control of the senses and the

mind, love, peace, righteousness, truth, intense devotion and non violence

through body / speech / mind - these are the nine flowers gathered for Thy

worship.’

Swachitta Hastena Mano Gunaishcha

Tair Gumphitäm Mänasa Vaijayantim

Äpäd Kanthäm Vanamälikäm Té

Sri Sathya Saieesh Samarapayämi

‘With these nine flowers, the mental garland reaching upto Thy feet is

strung, by my thoughts with my mind as the thread. This garland reaching

from the neck to the feet, I offer to Thee, Oh Lord ! Sri Sathya Sai !’

Sadväsanä Mewa Sugandhi Dhoopam

Prajvälya Deepam Suvichära Roopam

Naivedya Mekam Mama Karmapäkaha

Phalam Cha Shuddham Hridayam Twadaryam

‘Having lit the fragrant incense in the form of good desires and the lamp

in the form of good thoughts, I offer to Thee the results of my actions and the

fruit of my purified heart as the naivedyam.’ (Naivedyam - the food offering

to God)

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Tämboola Mapyantar Bhäva Siddham

Karpuramätma Stavanam Pradipya

Tawäratim Bhaktiyuta Karomi

Pradakshinäm Cha Shirasä Pranämam

‘Even the betel nut and betel leaf to be chewed after food are ready in the

form of my inner emotions. I light the camphor in the form of my ego and with

heartfelt devotion, perform the Arati (waving of the sacred camphor light),

followed by circumabulation (Pradakshinâ). I bow down and put my head on

Thy feet.’

Mayälpamatyä Kritapoojanesmin

Doshänscha Sai Bhagwan Kshamasva

Lokaha Samastaha Sukhino Bhavantu

Mé Prärthanaishä Tawa Päda Padmé

‘Oh Lord Sai ! I have performed this

worship with my limited knowledge. Please

forgive me for any errors I may have committed in this worship. ‘May all

people be happy’ is my prayer at Thy Divine Lotus Feet.’

Composed by Dr. (Smt.) Vanamala Bhawalkar

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SRI SATHYA SAI KALPADRUMAHOLY BOOK FOR DAILY RECITATION

FIRST DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(THURSDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali

3) Reading of Chapters 1 to 154) Arati

SECOND DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(FRIDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali


THIRD DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(SATURDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali


FOURTH DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(SUNDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali


FIFTH DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(MONDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali


SIXTH DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(TUESDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali


SEVENTH DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(WEDNESDAY) 2) Recitation of the Ashtottara Shata Nämävali


EIGHTH DAY : 1) Mänas Pooja(THURSDAY) 2) Arati

3) Narayan Seva

May our beloved Swami bless us all andfulfill all our righteous desires.

|| OM SRI SATHYA SAINATH ARPANAM ASTU ||

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OM SRI SATHYA SAIASHTOTTARA SHATA NAMAVALI

1. Om Sri Sathya Sai Bäbäya Namah

2. Om Sri Sai Sathya Swaroopäya Namah

3. Om Sri Sai Sathya Dharma Paräyanäya Namah

4. Om Sri Sai Varadäya Namah

5. Om Sri Sai Sath Purushäya Namah

6. Om Sri Sai Sathya Gunäthmané Namah

7. Om Sri Sai Sädhu Vardhanäya Namah

8. Om Sri Sai Sädhujana Poshanäya Namah

9. Om Sri Sai Sarvajnäya Namah

10. Om Sri Sai Sarva Jana Priyäya Namah

11. Om Sri Sai Sarva Shakthi Moortayé Namah

12. Om Sri Sai Sarvéshäya Namah

13. Om Sri Sai Sarva Sanga Parityäginé Namah

14. Om Sri Sai Sarva - Antharyäminé Namah

15. Om Sri Sai Mahimätmané Namah

16. Om Sri Sai Mahéshwara Swaroopäya Namah

17. Om Sri Sai Parthi Grama Udbhaväya Namah

18. Om Sri Sai Parthi Kshetra Niväsiné Namah

19. Om Sri Sai Yashah-Käya Shirdi Vasiné Namah

20. Om Sri Sai Jodi Ädipalli Sümappäya Namah

21. Om Sri Sai Bhäradwäja Rishi Güthräya Namah

22. Om Sri Sai Bhaktha Vasthsaläya Namah

23. Om Sri Sai Apäntharäthmané Namah

24. Om Sri Sai Avatära Moortayé Namah

25. Om Sri Sai Sarva Bhaya Niväriné Namah

26. Om Sri Sai Äpasthamba Soothräya Namah

27. Om Sri Sai Abhaya Pradäya Namah

28. Om Sri Sai Ratnäkara Vamsha Udbhaväya Namah

29. Om Sri Sai Shirdi Sai Abheda Shakti Avathäräya Namah

30. Om Sri Sai Shankaräya Namah

31. Om Sri Sai Shirdi Sai Moortayé Namah

32. Om Sri Sai Dwäraka Mäyi Väsiné Namah

33. Om Sri Sai Chiträvati Tata Puttaparthi Vihäriné Namah

34. Om Sri Sai Shakthi Pradäya Namah

35. Om Sri Sai Sharanägatha Tränaya Namah

36. Om Sri Sai Änandäya Namah

37. Om Sri Sai Anand Däya Namah

38. Om Sri Sai Ärta Träna Paräyanäya Namah

39. Om Sri Sai Anäth Näthäya Namah

40. Om Sri Sai Asahäya Sahäyäya Namah

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41. Om Sri Sai Loka Bändhaväya Namah

42. Om Sri Sai Loka Rakshä Paräyanäya Namah

43. Om Sri Sai Loka Näthäya Namah

44. Om Sri Sai Deena Jana Püshanäya Namah

45. Om Sri Sai Moorti Traya Swaroopäya Namah

46. Om Sri Sai Mukti Pradäya Namah

47. Om Sri Sai Kalusha Vidooräya Namah

48. Om Sri Sai Karuna - Akaräya Namah

49. Om Sri Sai Sarva Ädhäräya Namah

50. Om Sri Sai Sarva - Hridayaväsiné Namah

51. Om Sri Sai Punya Phala Pradäya Namah

52. Om Sri Sai Sarva Päpa Kshaya Karäya Namah

53. Om Sri Sai Sarva Roga Niväriné Namah

54. Om Sri Sai Sarva Bädhä Haräya Namah

55. Om Sri Sai Ananta Nuta Kartruné Namah

56. Om Sri Sai Ädi Purushäya Namah

57. Om Sri Sai Ädi Shaktayé Namah

58. Om Sri Sai Apuroopa Shaktiné Namah

59. Om Sri Sai Avyakta Roopiné Namah

60. Om Sri Sai Käma Krodha Dhwamsiné Namah

61. Om Sri Sai Kanak - Ambar Dhäriné Namah

62. Om Sri Sai Adbhuta Charyäya Namah

63. Om Sri Sai Äpad - Bändhaväya Namah

64. Om Sri Sai Premäthmané Namah

65. Om Sri Sai Prema Moortayé Namah

66. Om Sri Sai Prema Pradäya Namah

67. Om Sri Sai Priyäya Namah

68. Om Sri Sai Bhakta Priyäya Namah

69. Om Sri Sai Bhakta Mandäräya Namah

70. Om Sri Sai Bhakta Jana Hridaya Vihäräya Namah

71. Om Sri Sai Bhakta Jana Hridaya Älayäya Namah

72. Om Sri Sai Bhakta Parädheenäya Namah

73. Om Sri Sai Bhakti Jnäna Pradipäya Namah

74. Om Sri Sai Bhakti Jnäna Pradäya Namah

75. Om Sri Sai Sujnäna Märga Darshakäya Namah

76. Om Sri Sai Jnäna Swaroopäya Namah

77. Om Sri Sai Gita Bodhakäya Namah

78. Om Sri Sai Jnäna Siddhi Däya Namah

79. Om Sri Sai Sundara Roopäya Namah

80. Om Sri Sai Punya Purushäya Namah

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81. Om Sri Sai Phala Pradäya Namah

82. Om Sri Sai Purushottamäya Namah

83. Om Sri Sai Puräna Purushäya Namah

84. Om Sri Sai Atitäya Namah

85. Om Sri Sai Käla - Atitäya Namah

86. Om Sri Sai Siddhi Roopäya Namah

87. Om Sri Sai Siddha Sankalpäya Namah

88. Om Sri Sai Ärogya Pradäya Namah

89. Om Sri Sai Anna Vastra Däya Namah

90. Om Sri Sai Samsära Dukha Kshaya Karäya Namah

91. Om Sri Sai Sarva - Abhishta Pradäya Namah

92. Om Sri Sai Kalyäna Gunäya Namah

93. Om Sri Sai Karma Dhwamsiné Namah

94. Om Sri Sai Sädhu Mänasa Shübhitäya Namah

95. Om Sri Sai Sarva - Mata Sammatäya Namah

96. Om Sri Sai Sadhu Mänas Parishodhakäya Namah

97. Om Sri Sai Sädhaka-Anugraha Vata-Vriksha Prathishthäpakäya Namah

98. Om Sri Sai Sakala Samshaya Haräya Namah

99. Om Sri Sai Sakala Tatwa Bodhakäya Namah

100. Om Sri Sai Yogishwaräya Namah

101. Om Sri Sai Yogindra Vanditäya Namah

102. Om Sri Sai Sarva Mangala Karäya Namah

103. Om Sri Sai Sarva Siddhi Pradäya Namah

104. Om Sri Sai Äpanniväriné Namah

105. Om Sri Sai Ärti Haräya Namah

106. Om Sri Sai Shänta Moortayé Namah

107. Om Sri Sai Sulabha Prasannäya Namah

108. Om Sri Sai Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Bäbäya Namah

OM SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIHI

(ASHTOTTARA SHATA NAMAVALI =

108 sacred names of Bhagawan Baba)

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“Whoever visualizes one’s favourite formof God and chants His name with one-pointed devotion, such a person overcomesall obstacles and wins God’s grace easily.God exists in each and every animate andinanimate thing in this world. Understandthis well and serve Him. This is the onlyway to reach Him and be worthy of Hisgrace.”

- Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

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DAY ONE(THURSDAY)

MÄNAS POOJAASHTOTTARA SHATA NÄMÄVALI

CHAPTERS 1 TO 15MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI

SATHYA SAI BÄBÄYA NAMAH - (1)

My humble salutations to Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The word Sai Baba literally means Sa + Aai (mother) and Baba (father). SoSwami is our mother and father. ‘Sa’ means divine, so Sai Baba is our Divine Motherand Father. When a child is young, the foremost duty of the parents is to nurturehim, protect him and imbibe values in the child. Today, millions of devotees fromall over the world adore Swami as their Divine Parent and Swami takes care ofthem, in like manner.

An incident that look place on 4th

July 1996, speaks for itself. On this day,while giving a talk on Swami, one student addressed Him as ‘my Saimata’. Hefurther said, “I do not have a mother, but I am blessed with the love of a thousandmothers.”

In the divine discourse that followed, Swami explained this statement. Hesaid, “Do you all know why this student referred to Me as ‘Saimata’ ? Ten yearsago, when this boy and his brother were young children, their mother was broughtto Vrindavan on a stretcher. They had arrived from Himachal Pradesh. The motherwas seriously ill. I drew the children close to Me and promised her, ‘From now onthese children are Mine. Don’t worry.’ The mother was relieved. Later she passedaway. Their father rarely comes here. The children have been left under Swami’scare.”

“The children started attending school here. This boy was five years old andwas studying in the first standard. One day the lady warden brought him to Mesaying, ‘this child is missing his mother terribly. He does not even eat his food andkeeps crying all the time.’ I took him to the interview room and materialised a ringfor him. I pacified him in many ways. From that moment, he was able to overcomehis sorrow. He was joyous.”

This represents just one example. There are millions of people round theworld who as His children are being constantly looked after by Swami.

Swami’s love is that of a thousand mothers. But we are unable to comprehendthis. So many of us keep feeling, “Swami did not look at us; He did not talk to us!”

Two years ago, a middle-aged gentleman came for Swami’s darshan afterhis father’s demise. He was sitting in the first row. As Swami came along, thisperson was overwhelmed with his father’s memories and was unable to controlhis tears. Swami walked up to him and told him lovingly, ‘Don’t cry. Serve yourmother’. And from that moment miraculously his sufferings eased, because thegentleman realized that he was under his Divine Father’s care.

Swami says “Your own parents may love you with some selfish intent butthis Divine Saimata and Pita showers compassion on you, only so that you mayattain success in your efforts towards Self Realization”.

OM SRI SATHYA SAINATH ARPANAM ASTU

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OM SRI SAI

SATHYA SWAROOPÄYA NAMAH - (2)

Salutation to Sri Sai Who is the embodiment of Truth.

The word ‘Sathya’ has three syllables.

Sa - Sâkshatkâr (Self Relization)

Ta - Tapas (Penance)

Ya - Yama (Control of the senses)

The Truth experienced through Self Realization is ‘Sathya’. About ‘SathyaSwaroopa’ Bhagawan Baba says, “This entire universe is a manifestation of Truth. Theworld cannot exist without it. Each and every thing has emerged out of Sathyam.”

God created everything from Truth. There is no space where it does not exist. Sathyais the one and only sacred embodiment of the ‘Atma.’

All prosperity, all pleasures emerge from Truth. The Vedas, Upanishads and allthe sacred scriptures have also emerged out of it. Truth and God are inseparable.

Truth is God. Upanishads also declare, ‘Rasovai Saha!” God is sweetness. Thisdenotes that God pervades everything in a subtle form. Like sugar in sugarcane and butterin milk, He is present everywhere. Although it may be difficult to directly get a vision ofthe Lord, His existence can be experienced in many ways. The sweetness of sugar, thesourness of a lemon, the bitter taste of the neem, all these give an experience of the existenceof divinity. The joy that we derive on seeing a mountain, a waterfall or a forest, is therevelation of God’s existence. The bright sun and the stars, the planets revolving in theirorbits are all manifestations of the divine. A flame reveals the nature of fire, a drop ofwater reveals the river Ganges. In the same way, if one understands man’s true nature,one will be able to realize God.

Although constantly engaged in activity, man is unaware of his true nature. Heidentifies himself with the body, mind and the senses. He forgets that his true naturewhich is ‘Sat’ or ‘Atmaswaroopa’, transcends all these. There are two existing principlesin man-‘deha’ or ‘kshetra’ (body) and the indweller ‘Dehi’ or Kshetrajna’ which is the Self(one’s true nature).

There is a story about young Swami when He used to go with His devotees to thebanks of the Chitravathi river in the evenings. Once some of the devotees expressed theirdesire to know Swami’s ‘Sathya Swaroop’ (true nature). At the time of sunset, whilewalking with the devotees, Swami suddenly disappeared. Everybody started searchingfor Him, but to no avail. Suddenly they heard a clapping sound from a distance, from ahilltop. When everyone looked in the direction, they saw Swami standing on top of thehill. He asked everyone from there, “Do you want to see the sun?” “Yes!” Everybodyreplied in unison. How will the sun reappear after sunset? But lo and behold, they couldsee the ‘Suryanarayana’ (sun) rising behind Sri Sathyanarayana. Its brilliance was sointense, they all started sweating profusely, due to the heat. They shouted, “Swami! Itstoo hot.” In an instant the heat started reducing. Then Swami asked, “Do you want to seethe moon?” And the full moon started rising behind Him. As the pleasant moonlightstarted to spread everywhere, the devotees feeling the cold, started shivering. Some ofthem shouted, “Swami! It’s too cold!” And the cold slowly subsided.

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Then Swami announced in His authoritative tone, “I will show you the third eyenow. Watch carefully.” Even as everyone was wondering how the third eye will be, Swamicould not be seen. Only His head was seen. It started growing in size to an extent that theentire sky was covered by His head. As everyone was watching this, an opening appearedin the centre of His eyebrows. Fiery sparks and light started gushing out from it. Thebrilliance increased to a point, when some devotees unable to bear it, fell unconsciousand children began to cry. Suddenly, all this phenomena disappeared and everybodysaw Swami standing amidst them... Smilingly looking towards them, He asked them all,“What happened? Are you all right?” Then He materialized vibhuti and applied it oneveryone’s foreheads. One by one all those who had fallen unconscious, regainedconsciousness. But all of them felt the vertigo effect for another two days.

While explaining this extraordinary darshan Swami said, “Since you prayed to Meto show you My real nature, I did all this. Because of your prayers of many past births, Ihave shown you the third eye. I did not show you even a thousandth part of My brilliance.But that too was difficult for you to withstand.”

May Swami bless us all with the capacity to understand His true nature (SathyaSwaroopa). We sincerely pray at His divine lotus feet to grant us the opportunity.


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OM SRI SAI

SATHYA DHARMA PARÄYANÄYA NAMAH - (3)

Salutation to Sri Sai, Who solely adheres to Truth & Righteousness

Dharma = Righteousness

Parâyana = Ultimate Refuge

We bow down to Sri Sai Who is the Ultimate Refuge and can be attained throughSelf Realization by adhering to Truth and Righteousness.

Whenever God has incarnated on earth, He has given utmost importance toadherence to Truth and Righteousness. The Ramayana narrates the various duties of afather, mother, son, brother, wife and king. Lord Ramachandra has set an ideal for us byexplicitly following His duties as a son, husband, brother and king.

On many occasions during the Sri Krishna avatar, Bhagawan stressed on theimportance of ‘Dharma’ (righteousness / duty). In the Bhagavad Gita He has declared.

Shreyän Swadharmo VigunahPara Dharmät SwanushtitätSwadharmé Nidhanam ShreyahPara Dharmo Bhayävaha

‘Better one’s own duty, though devoid of merit, than the duty of another well-discharged. Better is death in one’s own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fearand generates of positive danger.’ (Here Bhagawan relates to ‘Dharma’ as one’s ownduty or righteousness).’

Even while assuring the devotees of His divine protection, Sri Krishna has declared

Sarva Dharmän ParityajyaMämekam Sharanam Vraja

‘Abandoning all dharmas (of the body, mind and intellect) surrender to Me.’ LiveMy message – is the inner significance of this declaration.

There is one significant story from Sai’s Shirdi Incarnation. Sainath had one peculiarhabit. At times, when He talked, He seemed to speak irrelevant things, apparently vagueto a common listener, but relevant and meaningful to the one for whom it was intended.

Once when Sainath was sitting in Dwarakamayi and talking to His devotees, anunknown person arrived for His darshan. No sooner did he start stepping up onto thesteps of Dwarakamayi, Baba thundered at the top of His voice, “Stop! Don’t climb up.”Such an expression was quite alarming to all present, including the person concerned.Not bothering about Baba’s warning, he continued climbing the steps of Dwarakamayi.Baba then flew into a rage. His face and eyes turning red with anger, He shouted “Stopthere! Don’t you dare climb up. Haven’t you sold your father?” Hearing this, the intruderfelt ashamed. He hung his head and left. None were able to understand the significance ofthis statement. On enquiry, it was revealed that he had recently changed his religion. Noone was aware of this. But can anything be hidden from the Omniscient Sai? All religionsteach the same principle of love, so why did he need to change his religion. He could havefulfilled his duties by remaining true to the religion of his birth. Sainath did not approveof this and so, showed His displeasure.

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In the present Sathya Sai avataar , Swami tells us, “My life is My message.” At theage of ten, He told Easwaramma, “I have been born to serve.” His task of upliftment ofhumanity is ongoing. Swami says, “ To follow religion is an eternal law. If one stopsabiding by his religion, there will be chaos in the world.”

In the Gita, Sri Krishna has declared.

Yé Tu Dhammärmrutam IdamYathoktam ParyupäsatéShraddhadhänä Mat ParamäBhaktästa Ateeva Mé Priyah

“They indeed, who follow this ‘Immortal Dharma’ (Law of life) as described above,endowed with faith, regarding Me as their supreme Goal – such devotees are exceedinglydear to me.”

Today, those devotees who practise righteous conduct religiously, are very dearto Sai Krishna.


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OM SRI SAI

VARADÄYA NAMAH - (4)

Salutation to Sri Sai, Who is the giver of boons.

In every incarnation of His, Bhagawan has been granting rewards to devotees whoundertake arduous sadhana. God grants His blessings in many ways, to those who loveHim.

In His Shirdi Sai incarnation He used to say, “In the beginning, I give all My devoteeswhatever they ask for. I grant them so much that ultimately they ask for what I wish tobestow on them.”

This is a unique incident, which reveals Sri Sai’s extraordinary ways of grantingboons. A lot of devotees used to throng the Dwarakamayi for Sainath’s darshan. In thosedays, persons like Mhalsapati, Madhavrao Deshpande alias Shama, Tatya Kote Patil usedto assemble around Sai.

One day, one gentleman and his family came to Dwarakamayi for Sai’s darshan.When this gentleman’s son put his head on Sainath’s feet, Sainath made him sit next toHim very lovingly and casting a loving glance towards the boy, He said, “Diya!” (meaningthereby-given). The expression sounded strange to the boy’s father and all present, exceptShama who at once asked the boy to say, “Liya!” (meaning thereby – I accept). Immediatelythe boy said to Sainath, “Liya.”

Sainath smiled happily. The next moment, He took off His robe (kafni) and put iton that boy. At that time, this gesture of Baba’s was beyond anybody’s understanding.

A few years passed by. Sainath took samadhi on Dassera (Vijayadashami) i.e. 15thOctober 1918. The young boy grew up and studied to become a doctor. The Sai Sansthanwas established at Shirdi. The same boy was appointed as the first President of Shirdi SaiSansthan. His name was Dr. Gawankar and Sainath had blessed him with the honourablerobe long back ! As Shirdi Sai’s well-known words say,

“Know that everyone will receive help here. Whatever anyone may ask, he willreceive it.”

We all know that Sai’s second incarnation is Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in theform of Shiv-Shakti. Shiva had once granted a boon to Maharshi Bharadwaj that He wouldtake birth thrice in his lineage. Devi Sathyabhama had given an indication to Sri KondammaRaju, Baba’s grandfather, of the advent of Sri Krishna. Sri Venkavdhoot, a yogi had alsogiven a hint to Kondamma Raju, about the birth of a Divine Being in their family, quiteearly on. Swami’s mother Easwaramma saw a divine flash of light entering her wombbefore Swami’s birth. All these were God’s boons.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says, “When you come to Me and see Me for thefirst time, you may feel shy. But I know you since a very long time. So whatever you wantto ask of Me, ask without any reservations. Do you feel awkward when asking somethingfrom your father ? Ask Me in the same manner.” Swami also says, “I am an invaluablediamond with many facets; so don’t use Me as a paperweight.” The inner significance ofthis is, ‘When I have come to give you the highest treasure, why ask for petty things ?’

When Swami grants boons to His devotees and gives with His innumerable hands,how much can one receive with just two hands ?


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SATH PURUSHÄYA NAMAH - (5)

Salutations to Sri Sai, One Who exists eternally.

The Absolute, formless God, if He so desires, takes a form. We also recognize Himas ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’ (Truth - Awareness - Bliss) or ‘Ekam Sat’.

“Satchitananda” dwells in subtle form in each and every animate or inanimatematter in this universe. Everything has two attributes namely - ‘naam’ (name) and ‘roopa’(form). “Satchitananda” is associated with essence / spirit. The name and form which issubject to change is associated with nature (prakriti). Name and form come into existenceonly because of “Satchitananda”. A human being therefore, is a visible embodiment ofSat Chit Ananda.

The name and form are constantly subject to change. But the eternal divine isunchanging. Bhagawan has said to Arjuna, “Arjuna, although I am birthless andchangeless, although I am the Lord God of all living beings, I dwell in nature and am bornfrom age to age, out of My love. You and I have passed through numerous births. I possessawareness of all those births; but you don’t”.

This happened many years ago. Once Swami was travelling to Madras (nowChennai) to visit His devotees there. A few devotees accompanied Him. They weretravelling in seven cars. Swami’s car was being driven by a devotee named Krishna. ThisKrishna was a young man, but of a thin frame. Suddenly, it started raining very heavily.Nothing could be seen through the windscreen. This resulted in a slow speed of travel...Swami held His own hand behind Krishna’s neck to cushion it like a pillow, lest his neckshould hurt from the continuous driving. When Krishna said, “ I feel like eating somethingsweet,” Swami materialized hot jalebis for him and all the other occupants in the car.When the downpour became very heavy, Swami Himself started wiping the moisture onthe windscreen. Everybody was amazed to see Swami’s concern for Krishna. Finally, theyreached Madras.

Whenever this Krishna was in Puttaparthi, Swami Himself would look after all hisneeds. He would feed him from His own plate. Unable to understand this extreme care,someone asked Swami why He loved Krishna so much. Swami’s answer was clear andstraight. He said, “During My previous Shirdi Incarnation when everybody used to laughat Me and throw stones at Me, one small boy would come running and cling to Me, saying‘He is not a madman, but a Mahatma.’ This same boy is now born as Krishna and is verydear to Me.”

Swami knows all our past births. He blesses us and rewards us according to ourpast karmas, because He is the Eternal Consciousness.


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SATHYA GUNÄTMANÉ NAMAH - (6)Salutations to Sri Sai, Who transcends all the

3 gunas. (Sathwa - Rajas - Tamas)Amongst Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema, Swami has given priority to Sathya.

This is because Sathya is the form of the Lord who transcends all the three gunas (Sathwa- Rajas - Tamas). He also transcends time and is eternal.

Swami says, ‘The atma dwells as the three gunas in the human body which ismade up of five elements. The triple incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh reside inour body as the three gunas. These three are a form of divinity.

Brahma or Sathwa is the creative principle. Vishnu or Rajas is the sustainingprinciple and Mahesh or Tamas is the dissolution principle which destroys all the negativetendencies. Though every human being is a repository of all the three gunas, the Sathwaor the creative principle is predominant in female or the mothers and the Rajas or sustainingprinciple is predominant in male or fathers.

Thus, it is as the Upanishads declare, ‘Matru Devo Bhava,’ mother should beworshipped as Brahma the Creator. Devotion and service to mother symbolizes worshipto God. After mother it is the father. He protects his children, fosters them and directsthem towards the path of God realization. So father should be worshipped as Vishnu, theSustainer. Therefore, in a way mother and father are representatives of Brahma and Vishnu.

Tamo guna is ordinarily associated with lethargy or dullness, but this is not anaccurate interpretation. In this context, tamas is associated with the auspiciousness ofShiva (Mahesh) who stands for the destruction of all evil tendencies in man, to help himexperience his own divine nature.

This triple incarnation of the three gunas exists in every individual. The Shrutisdeclare, ‘Ishwarah Sarva Bhootânâm’ (God exists in all beings), ‘Ishâ Vâsyam Idam Jagat’(God pervades this entire universe.)

Sri Sathya Sai Baba not only transcends these three gunas, but as ‘Sathyaswaroopa’His form symbolizes the Ultimate Truth.

We are all aware of the ‘Lingodbhava’ that Swami performs during Mahashivaratrievery year. He then gives the manifested ‘Atmalingam’ to some chosen devotee for dailyworship. Once it so happened that He gave the ‘Atmalingam’ to a lady devotee and alsoexplained to her about the mode of worship. The lady was overjoyed and she installed itin the shrine in her house and started regular worship. After a while she had to travel onwork, both in India and abroad. She would carry the Lingam with her and perform worshipwherever she went. But, in doing so she had doubts and was worried about maintainingits sanctity and felt burdened. She was also unsure whether she would be able to worshipthe Lingam in future, so she thought of returning it to Swami.

On her next visit, during darshan, Swami called her for an interview. However,she failed to express her doubts about the ‘Atmalingam.’ (The Lingam was wrapped in asilk cloth and was with her.) The interview got over. Swami started going up the staircase.His upward walk was strangely followed by a ‘tak tak’ sound. When she looked in thedirection of the sound, she was stunned to see the Atmalingam following Swami on thesteps, resulting in that sound. She immediately checked her silk cloth in which she hadcarried the Atmalingam and was shocked to find it missing. Unknowingly she exclaimed,“Swami ! My Atmalingam !” Swami stopped for a moment, looked at her and said, “YourAtmalingam ?” She realized her mistake, but it was too late ! By that time the Atmalingamand Swami were already gone ...


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SÄDHU VARDHANÄYA NAMAH - (7)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who increases thegoodness of the people in the world.

In the Bhagavad Gita Bhagawan Sri Krishna tells Arjuna,

Sadbhävé Sädhubhävé ChaSadityeta PrayujyatéPrashasté Karmani TathäSachhabdah Pärtha Yujyaté

‘The word ‘Sat’ is used in the sense of reality and of goodness and also O Partha! The word ‘Sat’ is used in the sense of an auspicious act.’

The word ‘Sat’ denotes ‘Sadbhâva’ and ‘Sâdhubhâva’ means goodness. In thesame way, ‘Sat’ also denotes good work.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba enhances virtue and goodness in all people. Heinspires individuals to become better human beings.

Swami constantly showers His grace on His students and helps them totransform themselves. He has established educational institutions to fulfill thispurpose. These institutes impart quality-education which is based on human values,whereby a lot of importance is given to morality and pure character.

Here are two incidents which reveal how children who have gone astray shouldbe reformed and how goodness should be nurtured in good-natured children.

The first one is from the Summer Showers Course held in Brindavan in 1973.Around 800 students from all over the country had gathered to participate in theSummer Course. Many of them, however, were not inclined to the strict discipline ofBrindavan. Two of them probably found it torturous. So one evening, they went outof the ashram, had non-vegetarian food and smoked cigarettes. They also went for amovie and came back stealthily at night. They thought nobody would know abouttheir escapade. But what can remain hidden from the Omniscient Swami ? Nextmorning, He called them and asked about the previous evening. At first they deniedeverything. But when Swami materialized a photo in which they were seen smoking,they were speechless and started weeping in repentance. The ever-affectionate Swamiforgave them, so that they could be encouraged now to cultivate good qualities.

The second incident is from the boys hostel. One night, Swami visited the hostel.Suddenly the electricity went off and a student heard Swami’s voice telling him, “Putyour hands behind.” As he did that, Swami placed a laddu in his hands. Withinminutes, the power supply was resumed and all the students realized that each one ofthem had a laddu in his hand ! Whatever was experienced by one, had been experiencedby all. So each one had heard Swami’s voice and each one had a laddu in his hand.Everyone was ecstatic !

Why did Swami perform this leela ? No doubt, He wanted to make the studentshappy. But beyond that, the prime motivation was to enhance devotion, good qualitiesand values in each of them.


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SÄDHU JANA POSHANÄYA NAMAH - (8)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who looks after and sustains good people.

God incarnates in order to increase and sustain virtue and righteousness in people.Whenever the life of a virtuous person is beset with difficulties, Swami provides thestrength to cope with these difficulties and removes the obstacles that hamper one’sprogress.

Once the daughter of Shri Radhakrishna Chetty (an old-time devotee of Swami),Smt. Vijayakumari, along with her husband Shri Hemchand, had gone for Swami’sdarshan. Swami came up to them and said, “Kumaramma, you have been promoted.”When she replied in the affirmative saying “Oh ! yes,” Swami further said, “You did notask, in which area of life you are promoted ? Shanideva has entered your birthchart.”Unperturbed Smt. Vijayakumari replied, “Oh ! That is very good Swami ! Why be afraidwhen we have God standing behind us like a mighty mountain ?”

Thereafter, the couple had to pass through a very difficult phase. They suffered afinancial crisis. Although they had means of livelihood, no income was available. Theywere both under tremendous psychological stress. But their faith in Saishwar wasunchanged. It grew deeper and stronger. Once Swami asked her, “You need some money,isn’t it ? Shall I give you some ?” At this Vijayakumari replied, “Swami ! You alone arefeeding us. Do not give us money, but indirectly, please help us to earn it.”

This earnest plea with total surrender reached Bhagawan. Swami penned them aletter. In it Swami wrote, “Your prayer from the sorrowful heart has reached Me. It haswon My heart. Now I am bound to you. Don’t be sad. In the near future you will behappy. Very soon you will sing and dance on the waves of ananda.”

With Swami’s blessings their sufferings and misfortune finally came to an end.They recovered financially and happiness dawned on them. The family was able toovercome this difficult period only due to Swami’s support and now are spending theirold age happily contemplating on Swami. This is how Swami always stands by thosewho are good and saintly.


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SARVAJNYÄYA NAMAH - (9)Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is Omniscient.

Sai, the indweller in every heart, is aware of everything; not only in every individualmind, but also of all the external happenings in the world.

In Chapter 7, Shloka 26 of the Bhagavad Gita the Lord declares,Vedäham Samateetäni Vartamänäni ChärjunaBhavishyäni Cha Bhootäni Mäm Tu Veda Na Kashchana‘I know O Arjuna, the beings of the past and present and the future, but no one

knows Me.’On many occasions, devotees have experienced how Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba is aware of each detail in every individual’s life. Here are two incidents describingthis.

In 1976, the well-known sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was visiting Bangalorefor a performance. After the programme, he called on his friend Shri Rahim Nijamuddin,who was Commissioner of police. Shri Rahim was planning a trip to Puttaparthi. AmjadAli Khan decided to accompany him.

They were fortunate to be selected for an interview. As they sat with others in theinterview room, Swami materialized a hot laddu dripping with ghee and turning toAmjad Ali said, “It is made in pure ghee.” Amjad Ali was astonished. He marvelled as tohow Swami knew that he liked sweets prepared in pure ghee !

But there was more to follow. Swami called him in the inner room. At the time,Amjad Ali was under a lot of mental stress. In the inner room, Swami told him, “Don’tworry. Marry the same Assamese girl you have chosen. She is suited to you.” Amjad Aliwas amazed and was grateful to Swami for removing the confusion in his mind. He thoughtthis fact was known to him alone. But Swami knows everything ! He was grateful becausethis command cum blessing from Swami, cleared all his doubts, about marrying that girl.

There is a another story about Shri Madhavrao Dixit. In 1962, He was staying inMangalore. He is the same Madhav, who was fortunate to be blessed by Shri Shirdi Sainath.He along with his uncle Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit, was in Shirdi from 1910 to 1918. Hewould call his uncle “Kaka”, so all others including Shirdi Sai Baba started referring toShri Haribhau Dixit as ‘Kaka’.

Sainath was very fond of the child Madhav. One day, while he was playing, Sainathcalled him. He took out udi with His right hand from the dhuni and with the hand full ofudi slapped hard on Madhav’s forehead. He hit so hard that Madhav started crying andran to his uncle saying, “I will never come to Baba.” Kaka had seen it all and he saidsmilingly, “Do you know fortunate you are ? We are all yearning to receive such a slapfrom Him.” Why did Sai Baba do this ? Madhav used to suffer from severe headaches.When Sainath slapped him, the headaches vanished for ever.

In 1962, Shri Madhavrao Dixit heard that Sai has been reborn as Sri Sathya Sai andis residing at Puttaparthi. But Madhav Dixit was not ready to accept Him as ‘Sai Baba’. Sohe decided to find out for himself and travelled to Puttaparthi. Swami called him for aninterview. As soon as he entered, Swami said, “Take out My Kaka’s photo. You have it inyour pocket, isn’t it ?” Swami also said, “After I slapped your forehead with udi, yourheadache hasn’t recurred, isn’t it ?”

All of Madhav Dixit’s doubts about Swami were cleared; he was convinced ofSwami’s Omniscience!


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SARVA JANA PRIYÄYA NAMAH - (10)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is dear to all.

‘Sarva’ covers all living beings-not humans alone, even animals. Lord Sai is dear toall the living creatures. The love of ‘Sai Geeta’ (the female elephant) for Swami, exemplifiesthis.

In darshan, thousands of devotees sit patiently and yearn for getting a glimpse ofSwami. When the Veda chanting heralding His arrival starts, a wave of emotion runsthrough the crowd and the feeling reaches its peak when Swami gives darshan. This isbecause the simple act of darshan fills the hearts of all with Swami’s divine love.

On Gokulashtami, devotees gather in Prashanthi Nilayam to celebrate LordKrishna’s birthday. In the earlier days, on this occasion even the cattle and other animalswere brought for Swami’s darshan. Sai Geeta, the beloved elephant pet of Swami wasbeautifully adorned and brought to the mandir for darshan. The expression of love in theeyes of all these animals towards Swami and Swami’s love for them was very evident.

Here is a touching story about how even animals have love and devotion for Swami.Long ago Swami kept some dogs as pets. Their names were amusing; Jack and Jill. One ofthem, a pomeranian especially loved Swami. Once while wandering in the village ofPuttaparthi, this dog met with an accident and a car ran over him. In that woundedcondition he dragged himself to Prashanthi Nilayam, threw himself at Swami’s lotus feetand then breathed his last.

A few years ago, there were some deer in the Brindavan Ashram. Swami used tofeed them apples and tend them lovingly. Once when Swami came out for darshan, Hesaw some students running towards him and from the other side the deer too, scamperingto Him. He said, “These are four-legged deers and those are two legged dears ! Both aredear to Me.”

Swami’s students love Him so intensely that whenever Swami travels fromPrashanthi Nilayam to Brindavan or vice versa, they are unable to hold back their tears.No wonder, Swami says, “My real wealth is My students.”


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SARVA SHAKTI MOORTAYÉ NAMAH - (11)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of all divine powers.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba embodies all the Gods and Goddesses. All powersare contained in Him.

Äkäshät Patitam Toyam,Yathä Gatchhati Sägaram,Sarva Deva Namaskärah,Keshavam Prati Gatchhati

‘As the water from the skies reaches the oceans, salutations to all Gods, reachKeshava’.

Millions of people from all over the world offer prayers to their own form of God,and these prayers reach Swami, Who is the Omnipotent One.

Swami says, “When you come to Me, there is no need for you to change the worshipof the name and the form you are accustomed to, because all names and forms are Mine.Your devotion reaches Me.”

There is an ashram and samadhi of Nityananda Swami near Mumbai at Ganeshpuri(Vajreshwari). He had a disciple named Swami Shraddhananda. Once while in Mangalore,he attended a Saibhajan in a devotee’s house. The bhajans ended with the arati and SwamiShraddhananda went into deep samadhi. On returning back to his normal state he said,“My guru Swami Nityananda is asking me to go with Dr. Gadhia, for Sri Sathya SaiBaba’s darshan.”

Next day, Dr. Gadhia and Swami Shraddhananda left for Puttaparthi. BhagawanBaba called them for an interview. As they were waiting with others in the room, somethingunexpected happened. When Baba, in His usual manner started rotating His hand tomaterialize vibhuti, Swami Shraddhananda suddenly tried to stop Him by holding Hiswrist. All those who were present in the room were stunned. Dr. Gadhia felt awkwardsince he had brought Shraddhanandaji for Baba’s darshan.

But ‘Shantiswaroopa’ Bhagawan was unmoved. Smiling lovingly He askedShraddhananda, “Why did you hold My hand ?” Shraddhanandaji replied, “I have notcome here to get chocolates or peppermints; I expect something much higher.” Baba asked,“Do you mind if I give chocolates and peppermints to others?” Bhagawan then materialisedvibhuti and gave it to all others except Swami Shraddhananda.

Baba then called each one into the inner room to give them personal guidance. Thelast one to be called was Swami Shraddhananda. Bhagawan Baba opened the top twobuttons of His robe and asked Shraddhananda to look at His chest. As he did so, hebecame ecstatic and with tears rolling down his cheeks, exclaimed, “Oh, Gurudeva ! Youare here, in the form of Sri Sathya Sai !” As he looked at Bhagawan Baba’s chest, he wasblessed with a vision of his guru, Swami Nityananda.

Many from all over the world have had similar experiences, where they have beenblessed with a darshan of their ‘Ishta Daivat’ in Bhagawan Baba.


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SARVÉSHÄYA NAMAH - (12)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the Lord of all.

Whoever calls out to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba sincerely from his heart, theOmnipresent Swami responds to his call and showers His blessings. Whichever form ofGod one may call out to, Swami showers His grace on those devotees, for He is thenourisher of the entire universe and the Supreme Essence of all.

Swami’s devotees from all over the world have been blessed with His darshan inthe form of their ‘Ishta Daivat’ (desired deity). Many of His European devotees have seenHim as Lord Jesus. Some of His old devotees have had His darshan in the form of ‘ShirdiSai’. There are some fortunate ones who have been blessed with the darshan of Sri ShivaSai at the Virupaksha temple.

A small story about Swami as the embodiment of all deities :

There was a lady, who was an ardent devotee of Swami. She would sometimes gofor Swami’s darshan, after discharging the family responsibilities. Many a time she feltthat her son too should accompany her but her son had contrary feelings. Once, somehowshe convinced him to accompany her. On the way he suddenly said to her, “I will notcome to Puttaparthi; instead I will go to Tirupathi,” and he left for Tirupathi. His motherwent all by herself for Swami’s darshan.

In darshan, Swami came straight to her and gave her paadnamaskar. But she lookedsad. On seeing this, Swami asked her, “Amma, why are you unhappy ?” Choked withemotion, she was unable to speak. Swami said, “Amma, just as I am here in Puttaparthi, Iam in Tirupathi as well, so don’t be sad. Your son is visiting Tirupathi, isn’t it? It means,he has come to Me !”


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SARVA SANGA PARITYÄGINÉ NAMAH - (13)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who has given up all attachments.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has no attachments, yet He is equally attached toall. He is mother, father, brother and friend to all.

At the age of fourteen itself, Sathyanarayan Raju left His home and declared thatHe was ‘Sai Baba’. At the time He referred to His worldly mother as ‘maya’ and renouncedall worldly ties- ‘Sarva Sanga Partiyâga’. One can use the word ‘detached’ for sâdhus andsanyasis, but not for Swami, as He is God and transcends the gunas. The relationships ofmother, father, brother, sister, friends are part and parcel of human birth. To snap theseworldly ties, He ate three morsels of food from His mother Easwaramma’s hands, just toplease and appease her and said, “Now maya (illusion) has left Me.”

Swami respectfully addressed His worldly father as ‘Griham Abbai’ and motheras ‘Griham Ammai’. He also gave the respect due to all the elders in the family, butultimately the essential relationship between them was one of God and devotee.

From childhood itself, little Sathya was never attracted to worldly things. The otherchildren in the home were drawn towards food, colourful clothes and entertainment, butyoung Sathya, was never inclined towards these things.

Swami, who transcends gunas, has no worldly attachments, yet like all incarnationsof God, He is bound to His devotees. He is ever engaged in the spiritual upliftment of Hisdevotees towards the supreme goal. He declared in childhood, “ I was born to serve” andhas been serving mankind ever since. He showers love on all, but takes particular care ofHis students holistic progress. The unconditional love that is showered by Saimata onthese students, is several times more than the love they receive from their own parents.


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SARVÄNTARYÄMINÉ NAMAH - (14)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the inner conscience of all.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as God Incarnate is Omniscient, Omnipotent andOmnipresent. This power is present only in avatars. He who resides in the heart, beingomniscient can easily read the mind and heart of all His devotees. He hears all sincereprayers and responds to them accordingly. He guides us, protects us and even rebukes usif required, for our evil thoughts. He picks up even the subtlest thought in the mind ofHis devotees.

Here is a small story to illustrate this. Once Diana Baskin from USA, along withher husband Joel and little daughter set out for Puttaparthi. She was extremely tense tillthey boarded the flight, because of the uncertainty in her husband’s mind regarding comingto Puttaparthi for Swami’s darshan. He was reluctant to come to Swami. Finally, he boardedthe flight, and she felt relieved.

At Prashanthi Nilayam, they were well-accommodated since Diana’s mother hadalready arrived one month earlier. But Joel had one problem-about his smoking. No suchvices are allowed in the ashram. So, next day, he went out of the ashram, along with hiswife to the hilltop, for a smoke. Sitting there and enjoying the scenic beauty from thehilltop, Joel suddenly shouted, “Look ! Look at that beautiful rainbow !” Diana turnedher gaze towards the wondrous sight in the sky. The rainbow was a vertical one, andextremely unusual ! It vanished after some time. Joel very excited by now, said to hiswife, ”Do you remember ? It was only last week I had expressed a desire that Sai Babashould ‘materialise’ for me, a rainbow.” And Joel was under the impression that thisdesire was known only to himself, Diana and his friends in Los Angeles; but how can theOmniscient Sai not know about this ?

When both of them returned to the ashram, to their utter surprise, Sri Kasturiwelcomed them saying, “Swami has called you both for an interview tomorrow morning.”Next morning they arrived in the interview room. As Swami came down the steps, Helaughed aloud saying “So, how did you like My rainbow ?” and patted Joel lovingly onhis back.

Joel was speechless. Tears started rolling down his cheeks. Diana too had tears inher eyes. Back home, when Diana pleaded with Joel to come along for Swami’s darshan,he had put a condition that he would seek Swami’s darshan only if Swami would showhim a rainbow. Swami, the indweller in every heart, knowingly, fulfilled his condition.

Swami took His seat and everyone sat around Him. Joel sat right next to Swami.When Swami enquired after her daughter’s health, Diana told Him that the child wassuffering from a cold and a stomach ache. Swami rolled up His sleeve and with a circularmovement of His hand, materialized a fresh fig and gave it to her. After the interview Joelsearched the entire market for a fig. He got the standard answer, “This is not the seasonfor figs and you will not get them anywhere in Southern India right now.”

What could be the reason for Swami materializing a fig for the child ? Just momentsbefore He did so, Joel had a thought in his mind, ‘Can Swami materialize a fruit instead ofthe usual vibhuti ?’ And the very next moment, the Omniscient Swami materialized afresh fig, which was not available anywhere at the time...


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MAHIMÄTMANÉ NAMAH - (15)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is a great and glorious soul..

Bhagawan Baba’s glory has spread all over the world and millions of people cometo Prashanthi Nilayam to seek His darshan. Some of them are spiritual aspirants andsome come for material gains.

Here is an incident that took place in 1970. On hearing Bhagawan Baba’s glory, Sri108 Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj (who is now over a hundred years old) arrived inPrashanthi Nilayam from Kashi. He was accompanied by 15 to 20 of his disciples. Afterhaving stayed in the ashram for about twenty days, he formed an opinion about Babathus, “Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the God of foreigners and rich devotees. He is not anembodiment of love, because if He were, He would treat everyone equally”. What couldbe the reason for such an opinion ?

In those twenty days of his stay, Bhagawan Baba had ignored him completely, soSwami Virajanandji decided to leave Prashanthi Nilayam and travelled back toDharmavaram. That night, they decided to camp at Dharmavaram. He was resting in aroom and his disciples were in the next one. After a while, someone knocked at the doorsaying, “May I come in please ?” The person allowed to enter, made a humble requestsaying, “Swamiji, Bhagawan Baba has sent me here to take you to Puttaparthi.” Virajanandjilost his temper and said, “I will not come. He is a God of the rich. He is not an embodimentof love, as he claims to be.” The person insisted, “I have got a car and I will not move outof here, unless you come with me.” Finally Virajanandji had no option and he left withthe messenger. The moment they reached Prashanthi Nilayam, Bhagawan called him tothe first floor. Virajanandji was about to pass a scornful remark, but Baba stopped himand said, “Let us first have our meal. Then you can ask Me whatever you wish to ask.”After the meal, Bhagawan Baba showed Swami Virajanandji His right palm. On seeingthat palm Virajananda broke into a sweat; he was all confused.

What did he see in that palm ? He saw all his disciples and his ashram in Kashi inthat palm. He could simultaneously hear Bhagawan’s words, “Love, Love, Love ! What islove ? Do you think you can attain Self Realization by abandoning your family andcollecting thousands of followers ? In fact, you are far from it. This is moha (infatuation).Only devotion and love takes you closer to God. Desires and worldly fame cannot takeyou close to God.”

On hearing Bhagawan’s words, Swami Virajanandji realized his mistake. He heldonto Bhagawan Baba’s feet and sought His permission to leave. Baba said, “Wait amoment.” Virajananada sat down. For a moment he felt sleepy. When he opened his eyes,he realized that he was back in his room at Dharmavaram. He could not fathom how hereached there in a moment. He meditated on the divine lotus feet of Bhagawan Baba andrealized that it was all nothing but Bhagawan’s leela.


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DAY TWO(FRIDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA

ASHTOTTARA SHATA NÄMÄVALI

CHAPTERS 16 TO 30

MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI SAI

MAHESHWARA SWAROOPÄYA NAMAH - (16)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of Lord Shiva.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is Shiva Shakti Incarnate. Time and again He hasshown this to His devotees. Several times many Shiva devotees have had Bhagawan Baba’sdarshan in the form of their desired deity.

The story of Swami Vamadeva Maharaj will enlighten devotees. With a desire toattain liberation, Vamadeva Maharaj renounced the world and became a sanyasi. Whenhe was 85 years old, he felt that his body was now old and feeble and any moment he mayhave to leave it. So with the aim to offer his body to the river Ganga and attain liberation,he travelled to Kashi. He meditated on the form of Param Shiva and jumped into the riverGanga. At that very moment, a miracle took place. He saw an effulgent deity with acrown of thick black hair on the head, abhaya mudra (hand raised in blessing) and orangerobe, instead of the ash smeared, camphor like fair form of Shiva, he was meditatingupon. It vanished in a moment. Next, there was another miracle. As he was sinking deepinto the water, he found that he was suddenly being pushed upwards by a powerful forceand he started floating on the water like a wooden log. A strong wave emerged in thesilent waters of Ganga, he was pushed towards the shore and once again the Gangamataresumed its calm.

At the time, Swami Vamadeva thought that maybe he should continue to sit therein padmâsan (lotus-posture), so that the monsoon floods will once again suck his bodyand it will be offered to Gangamata and Lord Shiva.

On the same night, a senior army officer and also a Sai devotee had a dream. Hedreamt that a sanyasi was sitting in Bhagawan Baba’s lap and Baba was feeding him witha laddu, as if he were a small child.

Next morning, this army officer went for a walk along the shores of river Gangaand he happened to see the same sanyasi there, whom he had seen in a dream the earliernight. He was none other than Swami Vâmadeva Maharaj. Urgently he hurried to him,offered pranamas and started recounting the dream and praising Bhagwan Baba. Listeningto him Swami Vamadeva said, “I have not seen you earlier. Isn’t this your imagination?”At this, the officer began to describe Bhagawan Baba’s divine form. Swami Vamadevarecollected the vision he had seen in the river Ganga. It was exactly the same.

Vamadeva Maharaj asked himself, “Is this Sai Baba, an incarnation of Shiva?” Hisinner voice answered, ‘Spend some more time with this devotee. Find out some moreabout this Parameshwar and then be assured.”

Accordingly, Swami Vamadeva stayed for some time, on the Manikarnika Ghat.He heard Bhagawan Baba’s glory from the devotee and then he was convinced that hisMaheshwara and Sai were one and spent the rest of his life in meditating upon His ‘SaiMaheshwara’.


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OM SRI SAI

PARTHI GRÄM UDBHAVÄYA NAMAH - (17)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who was born in a village called Puttaparthi.

Sri Kondamma Raju, a pious soul residing in the remote village of Puttaparthi inAndhra Pradesh, once had an extraordinary dream. It was divine and wondrous. He sawa deity of divine effulgence, who however seemed distressed. She was Devi Sathyabhama,waiting for her Sri Krishna who had gone away, to bring her some ‘Parijat’ flowers. Dayafter day passed, but there was no sign of Sri Krishna. She was distressed and tears wereflowing from her eyes. It started raining heavily, but Sathyabhama continued to wait,getting completely drenched. When Kondamma Raju noticed her, she asked him to giveher some shelter where she could continue her wait for Sri Krishna.

The dream ended and Sri Kondamma Raju made a resolve to build a temple forthe Devi. Accordingly he constructed a mandir, but due to shortage of funds, a stone waserected, in place of the idol.

In this way, the commitment to Devi Sathybhama was fulfilled by Sri KondammaRaju. Puttaparthi become an abode of the Devi and therefore, Bhagawan Sri Krishna hadto incarnate again in the village of ‘Parthi’, to meet Sathyabhama, who had been awaitingHis arrival.

Puttaparthi was formerly known as “Gollapalli”, meaning thereby, ‘the village ofcowherds’. Many cowherds along with their wealth of cattle lived in this remote village.

One day a strange occurence took place. One cowherd noticed that, one of hiscows returned home in the evening after grazing, with an empty udder. When this becamean everyday feature, he set out to find the reason behind it and he followed the cow. Whathe witnessed, was unimaginable. A snake came out of a snake hill, rolled itself around thecow’s hind legs and began to drink milk from the udder. The cowherd lost his temper andhe picked up a heavy stone, hurled it at the snake and killed it.

Ever since this incident, the cowherd families of Gollapalli gradually declined innumbers and snake hills proliferated all over. People believed it to be a curse of thatdying snake. This is how Gollapalli came to be called ‘Puttavardhini’ a village of growingsnake hills. In times to come it was abbreviated to ‘Puttaparthi’.

When the second incarnation of Sai took birth in this village, in no time Puttaparthiwas transformed into not only ‘Gokulam’ but a heavenly paradise. Today this village hasa prominent place on the world-map and it is a place of pilgrimage for millions of peoplearound the world.


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OM SRI SAI

PARTHI KSHETRA NIVÄSINÉ NAMAH - (18)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who resides in the holy region of Parthi.

Bharat alone is the holy land, where God has incarnated from age to age. In everyincarnation of God, one finds that the avatar’s ‘Janmabhoomi’ (place of birth) and‘Karmabhoomi’ (place of activity) are different. Sri Rama was born in Ayodhya, but themission of destroying Ravana and other demons was carried out in Lanka. Sri Krishnawas born at Mathura, but He narrated the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ on the Kurukshetra and madeDwarka His capital. But the present Sri Sathya Sai avatar is an exception, because Hisbirthplace and the place of His mission are the same, and that is Puttaparthi. MotherEaswaramma was the catalyst for this.

On 20th October 1940, Sathyanarayan Raju declared, “From now on, I am no moreyour ‘Sathya’. I am Sai.” Saying thus, He left the house of His brother Sesham Raju inUravakonda. Sathya then walked to a garden in front of Sri Anjaneyulu’s house and satunder a tree. He taught His first bhajan, “Mânas bhajare Guru charanam, dustar bhavasagar taranam”, to all those who had gathered there. The bhajan singing continued forthree successive days. Suddenly Baba said aloud, “Look ! maya has come.” Everyoneturned in the direction indicated, and saw Mother Easwaramma and Pedda VenkappaRaju. Both of them urged Baba to return home but He said, “Who belongs to whom? Whois a son? Who is the father?” Easwaramma wailed, but to no avail. Finally Baba told her,“Bring Me some food.” She rushed home and brought some food in a platter. Baba mixedit all up and made several balls out of it.

He swallowed three of them and said, “Now maya has run away. No need toworry.” He turned around and went back to the garden.

Now Easwaramma accepted the fact that from now on, He was not her son, butSai. She said to Baba, “I will not come in the way of Your task, but You must return backto Puttaparthi.” Baba acceded to her request and left for Puttaparthi. In this manner, theAvatar accepted His ‘Janmaboomi’ (place of birth) as His ‘Karmabhoomi’ (place of Hismission).

Mr. Homer, a resident of California (USA) works as a scientist for NASA. Hephotographed Puttaparthi through a satellite, stationed about 200 miles above the earth.But when he saw the photographs he was disappointed. Due to the great distance, onlyblack and white clouds were seen on the photographs. Years later, he showed thephotographs to some guests. While seeing them, a lady suddenly exclaimed, “This is SaiBaba!” On close observation they were able to perceive Sri Sathya Sai’s face clearly. It wascomposed from those numerous black and white clouds. The crown of His thick blackhair, eyes, nose and even the mole on Swami’s cheek were clearly visible!

Mr. Homer calculated on the basis of the latitudes and concluded that Swami’sform was spread over an area of forty miles in length and twenty miles in width. Everyonewas surprised and they all realized that although Swami is in Puttaparthi, His grace andpresence is spread over a very large area.


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OM SRI SAI

YASHAHKÄYA SHIRDIVÄSINÉ NAMAH - (19)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who was famous in the previous incarnation as a resident of Shirdi.

At the age of fourteen, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba declared that He was thereincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba. In 1963, on the auspicious occasion of Gurupournima,He spoke about Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai and the next incarnation – Prema Sai. He gave freshand new information about all the three avatars, which nobody was aware of.

In 1940, after He declared that He was the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai, many cameto Him to seek His darshan, but most of them did not know about Shirdi. Baba used tooften sing to them the glory of the dhuni, udi, Dwarakamayi, neem tree, Booty wada andSamadhi Mandir through bhajans. Once He gave a vision of the Shirdi Sai Samadhi, Neemtree, Khandoba Mandir to Smt Subamma, the Doubting Thomas advocate Krishnamachari,and Pedda Venkappa Raju, in Puttaparthi itself. From then on, Pedda Venkappa Raju’sand the advocate’s doubts about Baba were cleared.

Later, Swami revealed through many incidents that He was Shirdi Sai in His earlierincarnation. Here is one of those incidents.

For the first time, during Navarathri in 1961, Bhagawan Baba organized the ‘VedaPurusha Saptah Gyana Yagna’. All the learned Brahmins were invited to perform theyagna with Brahmashri Shivaram Bairagi Shastri as the head priest.

Bhagawan was very keen that the yagna should be performed properly accordingto the prescribed rites and rituals. So He called Brahmashri Shastri to Him and asked fora list of all the required materials for the yagna. Shastri prepared a list after consultationswith his colleagues and gave it to Bhagawan. Accordingly all the materials were acquiredand brought there.

Despite this, just five minutes before the yagna was to commence, Shastri realizedthat he had forgotten to list a particular type of ‘kalash’ (a vessel) required for the yagna.A petrified Shastri approached Swami and confessed his lapse. The ever-compassionateSwami said, “This is why I had asked you for a proper list. Now only five minutes are leftfor the yagna muhurtam...” Saying this, Swami went inside a room and within threeminutes came out with a beautiful silver ‘kalash’ with pictures of deities inscribed on it.

On seeing that perfectly suited ‘kalash’, Shastri was wonder-struck. BhagawanBaba told him, “In the Shirdi avatar, I had kept this ‘kalash’ in the Chincholi palace. Atthe moment, it was lying around with other odd things in the store-room of the palace. Ijust went there and brought it back.” The letters Sa. Ba. meaning ‘Sai Baba’ were inscribedon the ‘kalash’.

It is only by His divine grace that we have been fortunate to witness the divineleelas of Prabhu Sathya Sai who was Shirdi Sai in the previous incarnation.


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OM SRI SAI

JODI ÄDIPALLI SOMAPPÄYA NAMAH - (20)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who indeed is Somappa or the male & female aspects of Lord Shiva – ShivShakti - and whose abode is Kailas.

In 1963, on the occasion of Gurupournima, Swami declared for the first time thatHe is Shiva-Shakti incarnate. We all know that ‘Kailas’ is the original abode of Shiva-Shakti. Once a devotee named Kailasam came to Swami. Swami asked him what the word‘Kailasam’ meant. The devotee was unable to reply. Swami said, “Kailasam is the symbolof cleanliness, holiness and purity. It also means a pure heart. Therefore, Shiva chose thepinnacle of Kailas as His abode and as Paramatma He also resides in the sacred heart ofHis devotee.”

This is a story of a Shirdi Sai devotee who had travelled to Bangalore for sight-seeing in May 1963. When he, along with his family was about to get into a hired car, anold man over six feet tall, with white hair and beard, wearing a white dhoti and a shirtcame to them asking, “Do you want any help? I belong to this city, so I know it well. Ifyou are going for sight-seeing, I can guide you.”

Charmed by his speech and happy for the help, the devotee readily accepted theoffer. The old man showed them the entire Bangalore city but avoided eating lunch withthem. On much insistence he had coffee. In the evening the old man asked the driver totake the car, on a particular route. Although the driver was familiar with the city, thisparticular route was unknown to him. The old man asked to stop the car at a place. Hetook all of them inside a narrow tunnel. It was dark inside but there was an oil lamp andin its light they saw an effulgent Shivalinga. The old man asked everybody to take darshanof the Shivalingam and also gave them ‘Tirth’ (holy water). But he himself did not partakeit.

At the end of the day when the old man was about to leave, the devotee offeredhim some money, but he refused it. When they asked his name, he said something whichwas strange and when asked about his address, he pointed in a particular direction saying“Over there.” He also told them, “We will meet the day after tomorrow.”

Before the family were to leave Mumbai, a friend of theirs had suggested that theyshould go to Whitefield and seek darshan of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is the reincarnationof Shirdi Sai. Accordingly they reached Whitefield at noon. After having waited in frontof the closed gates in the hot afternoon sun for half an hour, they received a message, ‘Call those people from Mumbai inside.’ When the family went in, Swami welcomed thempersonally. He smiled and asked them, “So how did you like our Bangalore? Have youvisited all the places? We had met the day before yesterday.” The gentleman realized thatthe old man who accompanied them as a guide was none other than Sri Sai Baba Himself.Now he remembered what the old man had told them-the name ‘Jodi Ädipalli Somappâ

– the Shiva, who resides in pure hearts.’ Swami Himself showed the old Shiva temple tothis devotee with a pure heart ! Yet, it was mysterious, as there was no trace of that templelater, despite all efforts by many devotees to locate it.

Many devotees have had similar experiences. Whenever faced with calamities,‘Jodi Ädipalli Somappâ’ has given them darshan and rescued them.

May this Jodi Ädipalli Somappâ shower His grace upon us to turn our hearts intoKailasam. This is our prayer to this Shiva – Shakti incarnation.


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OM SRI SAI

BHÄRADWÄJA RISHI GOTHRÄYA NAMAH - (21)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is born in the family lineage of the great Rishi Bharadwaj.

On 23rd May 1940, when Baba first declared to Pedda Venkappa Raju that ‘I amSaibaba’, He also indicated that His ‘Gothra’ (lineage) is Bharadwaj. However, He shedmore light on this during the Guru Pournima discourse in 1963 when He said, “ Thereason why I have taken birth in Bharadwaj Gothra, is the boon Bharadwaja receivedfrom Shiva.”

Once Bharadwaj Rishi thought of performing a yagna. He went personally toKailash mountain to invite Shiva-Parvathi. At the time Shiva and Parvathi were engagedin a dance. They were so engrossed that they did not notice Bharadwaj Rishi for sevendays. The Rishi could only see Shiva but not Shakti. On the eighth day, when he gotdarshan of Mâta Parvathi, she cast a glance at him, smiled benignly and once again Shiva-Parvathi got engrossed in the dance.

The Rishi felt sad. He felt ignored, and thought of leaving Kailas. But his left legwas numb, due to standing continuously in snow for 8 days. He also lost his vision in theleft eye and then he collapsed. Shiva-Parvathi stopped their dance. Lord Shiva came tohis rescue and revived him by sprinkling some water from His ‘Kamandalu’. When theRishi regained consciousness, Shiva told him, “Shaktimata’s glance and her smile was ablessing for your yagna. We will definitely be present for the yagna.”

When Bharadwaj Rishi performed the yagna, both Shiva and Shakti manifestedduring ‘Poornâhuti’ and blessed Bharadwaj Rishi with a boon saying, “We will take birthin human form in your lineage three times. The first incarnation will be ‘Shiva avatar’,who will be known as ‘Shirdi Sai’, the second incarnation will be ‘Shiva-Shakti avatar’,who will be known as ‘Sri Sathya Sai’ and the third incarnation will be ‘Shakti avatar’who will be adored as ‘Prema Sai’.

Further Shiva added, “You thought Shakti had neglected you at Kailas for eightdays. Due to this Shakti will suffer in Shiva Shakti avatar. At that time, I (Shiva) will cureher by sprinkling the holy water on her, as I did for you at Kailas.”

Just as Bharadwaj Rishi had darshan of Shiva-Shakti, Swami also has given darshanto some of His devotees in the form of Shiva-Shakti. This was in the earlier days duringNavarathris when Swami was taken in a procession, many of His devotees were blessedwith a resplendent darshan of the Shiva – Shakti form.


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OM SRI SAI

BHAKTA VATSALÄYA NAMAH - (22)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is very affectionate to His devotees.

Whenever devotees call out to Swami with fervour, He immediately rushes to theiraid, even if He is physically far away. Just as a mother showers affection on her child,Saimata showers love, on all Her devotees. She saves them from material and spiritualdownfall and uplifts them. The devotees may recall many such incidents where they haveexperienced Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s affection.

This is one such incident when Swami was young and in Madras. One day He toldHis devotees, “Very soon I will go and give darshan to one devotee who has served Me inMy earlier incarnation.”

Soon after this, Swami one day, fell on the ground and His body became stiff like awooden log. The devotees around Him were worried. Suddenly vibhuti started oozingout of the sole of His left leg. Words in hindi and marathi could be heard from Swami’smouth. But the tone of His voice was different and sounded like that of an old man. SoonHe came back to His normal self and sat down. He told the devotees, “I had gone toShirdi to give darshan to Abdul.” When some devotees inquired at Shirdi, they were toldthat Abdul from Shirdi had passed away at the same time.

Who was this Abdulbaba? This Abdulbaba was originally from Nanded inMaharashtra. In 1908 he came to Shirdi for Sainath’s darshan and stayed there permanently.Until Sainath took samadhi, Abdulbaba lived in the Chavdi. He used to work all day andregard it as seva of Sainath. He used to especially like the task of sweeping the Masjidmayiand lighting the evening lamp. Besides this, he did a very important task. While in theDwarakamayi, whatever Sainath spoke or whatever instructions He imparted, Abdulhad a habit of making a note of everything in his personal diary. After Sainath’s samadhi,he spent his time reading the Holy Koran and continued to reside in the Dwarakamayi tillhis end.

To reward Abdul for his seva to the previous body and to bless him with darshanat the time of his death, the ‘Bhakta Vatsal’ Sri Sathya Sainath went from Madras to Shirdiand merged the devotee in Himself.


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OM SRI SAI

APÄNTARÄTMANÉ NAMAH - (23)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who as the universal consciousness, dwells in the heart of every being.

Sri Sathya Sai’s grace helps all of us to cross this ocean of life. While crossing this‘bhava sagar’, devotees undergo suffering, pain and fear but with Sri Sathya Sai’s constantguidance, they are able to reach the shores of bliss and peace easily.

At the tender age of fourteen, Sri Sathya Sai declared His avatarhood and taughtHis first bhajan,

‘Manas bhaja re Guru Charanam,Dustar bhava sagar taranam.’

‘You can cross this turbulent ocean of life only by meditating on the Guru’s feet.’

There is a very touching story that exemplifies this truth. Smt Amala Shankar, thefamous dancer and director, went to Puttaparthi in August 1997. In the month ofNovember, she was to perform ‘Mahamanav’, a dance ballet based on the life of Buddhain Prashanthi and this was the purpose of her visit.

She sat in darshan along with other ladies, only as a mere formality. She had nodevotion for Swami, in fact she had an adverse opinion. As Swami arrived in darshan,she observed His graceful walk and she felt as if He was floating. As He approachedcloser, seeing His divine form, her negative opinion started changing. When Swami finallycame to her and said, “Uday Shankar’s wife?” she was astonished ! ‘How could Herecognize me amongst all the ladies?’ she wondered. Swami pointed His finger towardsthe interview room and walked on. Amala Shankar did not grasp the meaning of thisgesture, so the lady sitting next to her told her to go to the interview room.

When she went along with others to the interview room, Swami pulled a chair andasked Amalaji to sit on it and said, “Your knees pain a lot, your left knee especially ismore painful, isn’t it ?” Then He enquired about the rest of her family members. He wasmost interested in her son Anand Shankar. Suddenly Swami said, “Remember, Anand isvery important in your life.” He uttered this sentence four times. Then He asked her,“What do you want ?” She said, “Your blessings”. Swami immediately materialized acrystal japamala (rosary) and gave it to her saying, “Here are your blessings, take.”

In November 1997, Amalaji went to Puttaparthi to perform the dance ballet‘Mahamanav’ on the occasion of International Ladies Day. Swami liked the ballet. Thefollowing year in November 1998, she again went to Puttaparthi to perform the danceballet ‘Seeta Swayamvar’. At the time her son Anand Shankar and daughter MamtaShankar also accompanied her. Just prior to the performance Swami came to them, heldAnand Shankar’s hands in His and said, “You will be with Me.”

Earlier during the first interview Swami had told Amalaji, “Anand is very importantin your life” and while talking to Anand on this occasion He said, “You will be with Me.”Nobody really understood the meaning of these two sentences at the time. The danceballet was a success, Swami liked it, so they were immersed in happiness.

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Amalaji continued her visits to Puttaparthi. In March 1999, all of a sudden Anandhad to undergo a surgery. After the surgery, Amalaji prayed to Swami. Swami called herto Puttaparthi, but did not speak to her for eight days. On the eighth day Swami calledher, gave her an air ticket and asked her to go to Kolkatta immediately. Her son Anandhad passed away. Amalaji had lost her Anand, who was the bliss of her life, who like hisname was always joyous and made others happy. This was like a thunderbolt on her.

Someone who was with Amalaji said to Swami, “Somebody should accompanyher.” Swami exclaimed, “Nobody else will go with her.” He told Amalaji, “I Myself willaccompany you.” Throughout the entire journey she could feel Swami’s presence withher. She was peaceful and detached, as if she was going for the last darshan of somebodyelse’s son. She looked out from the aircraft, and could see black clouds below and theclouds above were emitting golden rays. Amalaji felt Swami telling her, “These blackclouds of calamity are below you and God’s grace is over your head. This is life. How youaccept it, is upto you.”

While speaking about this tragic episode, Amalaji speaks in a calm and detachedway. She says, “Today I have realized why Anand was important in my life. BhagawanBaba showered His grace on me and He also gave me the ’atmic’ strength to tread theright path. Swami tells us to keep doing our assigned task. I am doing it now and willcontinue to do so until I merge with God.”

Just like Swami helped Amalaji Shankar, may He give us all the strength toovercome our sufferings. This is our prayer at His divine lotus feet.


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OM SRI SAI

AVATÄR MOORTAYÉ NAMAH - (24)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of all incarnations.

‘Avataran’ means ‘to come down’. God comes down to earth in human form, sothat it is easier for man to attain Him. Bhagawan Sri Krishna has proclaimed, ‘Wheneverthere is a decline in dharma, I incarnate in order to establish righteousness.’

Whenever God incarnates, He has the powers of Omnipresence, Omnipotence andOmniscience. The ‘Poornavatar’ has sixteen ‘kalas’ or potencies.

The present incarnation of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an embodiment of allthe powers mentioned above. Sri Sathya Sai says, “If I had come, holding the ‘shankh’(conch), ‘chakra’ (wheel), ‘gada’ (mace) and ‘padma’ (lotus), you would have run awayfrom Me or kept Me in a museum. If I had come as an ordinary person like you, youwould not have taken notice of Me. Therefore I have taken this human form and I performmiracles from time to time to reveal My glory.”

“I have incarnated to establish righteousness. The principles of truth, righteousness,peace, love and non-violence dwell in Me. To attain Me, you must be truthful, followrighteousness, obtain peace through love and you will become an embodiment of peace.To hate someone is also a type of violence.”

Swami also says, “Do not try to understand Me. None can ever understand Me.Instead, make efforts to attain the eternal bliss, that I shower on you.”

‘Sakshatkar’ (Self Realization), ‘chamatkar’ (miracles) and ‘paropkar’ (benevolence)are the qualities of an avatar and all of us have seen these eminently in Swami. In fact, wefind that the devotees who initially get attracted to Swami for ‘sakshatkar’ and ‘chamatkar’,later get so engrossed in ‘paropkar’ that they sincerely start treading the path of service.About benevolence Swami says, “I have taken birth to serve and My life is My message.”Who else but an avatar will have these special characteristics ?

Swami says, “I only want your love. I can give My life for those who give Me purelove. Those who have full faith and pure love, I am willing to do anything for them.”Only a divine incarnation can make such a statement.

The glory of Sri Sathya Sai avatar has spread to millions of people all over theworld. People from different religions, castes and creeds are seeing Him in the form oftheir desired deities.

Here is a story exemplifying Swami’s avatarhood. During the 1972 Summer ShowerCourses at the Brindavan ashram, Mother Easwaramma was also attending the Coursealong with some other lady devotees. The Course was in its eleventh day. Early in themorning Easwaramma rushed to Pedabottu and exclaimed to her, “Do you know, ourSwami is really God !” On hearing this, Peddabottu, a lady devotee, burst out laughing.Easwaramma asked her, “Why are you laughing ?” Peddabottu replied, “I am laughingbecause finally you are convinced that Swami is God.”

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Peddbottu further said, “Tell me exactly what happened.” Easwaramma said toher, “You know, for the last 3 – 4 days I have been unwell. Yesterday I had fever and I wasunable to sleep at night. Swami came to me.” Stopping her, Peddabottu intervened, “DidHe come in your dream ?” “No, no !” said Easwaramma, “He came to me in person andasked me, how I was feeling. I told Him that I had a bodyache. As I was saying this, I sawHim as Prabhu Ramchandra, with a crown on His head and a bow in His hand. I wantedto bend down and touch His feet, but I was so weak, I couldn’t get up. In a moment,Swami resumed His normal form. Smiling softly, He materialized vibhuti for me andwent away.”

Many devotees around the world have had similar experiences – which can comeonly from an avatar. What is different about the Sri Sathya Sai avatar is that, His power oflove brings about transformation of the heart, which is His biggest miracle.


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OM SRI SAISARVA BHAYA NIVÄRINÉ NAMAH - (25)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who removes all fears.Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba declares, ‘Why fear when I am here !” Wherever a

devotee may be, if he is able to experience Swami’s presence with him, he becomes fearless.If his devotion is pure, the devotee does not fear because devotion and fear cannot existtogether. Sai dwells in a pure mind and wherever He is, how can fear exist there ?

In the Shirdi avatar Sainath used to say, “Keep your gaze fixed on Me so that I cankeep showering on you My gracious glances.” When He says, ‘fixed gaze’, it means toimplicitly follow His instructions and abide by them in life, only then can one becomeworthy of His grace, be the recipient of His benevolence, and be freed of all worries andfears.

Here is a story from the times of the Shirdi incarnation. There lived a tailor namedKashiram in Shirdi. He had deep faith and love for Sainath. Out of his love, he stitched agreen robe and offered it to Sai, who normally wore a white or an orange robe. But theloving Sainath accepted it and wore it. The tailor got great joy in giving dakshina to Sainathevery day.

This Kashiram used to travel to several villages on work. Once while he wasreturning to Shirdi from Naur village, he was attacked by a group of tribals. Kashiramwas seated on a horse. They surrounded him and robbed him of all his belongings. InitiallyKashiram did not resist them, but when they tried to snatch a small bundle of cloth fromhim, he opposed them strongly. What was there in that bundle, which was so precious ?

Long ago, a realized soul named Janakidas Baba had instructed Kashinath to feedsome sugar to ants every day. Since then Kashinath followed the instruction and alwayscarried some sugar in that bundle of cloth. To prevent the robbers from taking the bundle,Kashiram snatched a sword from one of the tribals and attacked them fiercely. He killedtwo of them but the third one struck him from behind with an axe. Kashiram fell off thehorse and became unconscious. Fearing him to be dead, the robbers ran away. While allthis was happening, Kashiram kept experiencing Sainath’s presence with him all alongand he felt fearless.

After some time, some passers-by found him. They brought the unconsciousKashiram to consciousness and wanted to take him to a hospital. But Kashiram refusedand asked them to take him to Shirdi. At Shirdi, Sainath got him treated throughMadhavrao Deshpande and soon by Sainath’s grace, he recovered fully.

When Kashiram was being attacked, do you know what happened at Shirdi ? Inthe Dwarakamayi, Sainath suddenly started beating His chest, lost His temper and causeda commotion. The devotees around Him understood that Sainath was helping somedevotee in distress. It was only due to his faith in Sai that the lone Kashiram was able tofight so many robbers fearlessly. Later, the government honoured him for his bravery.

In the present Parthi incarnation also there have been several incidents where Saidevotees have been able to overcome fear during a crisis, through their faith in Swami.

One small incident. One night, some dacoits went to a remote house in a village,with the intention of looting. At the time, an old man was all alone in the house. Onrealizing the gravity of the situation, he stood in front of Swami’s photograph and startedinvoking Swami saying, ‘Swami, Swami !’ Nobody knows what exactly happened, butthe dacoits had a change of heart and they ran away. The Swami devotee was safe.

Swami says, “If one practices three things in life, he can become one with Me. Theyare purity, patience and perseverance. Whosoever imbibes these three qualities, whereverhe may be, he will always be free from fear.”


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OM SRI SAI

ÄPASTHAMBA SOOTHRÄYA NAMAH - (26)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who was born in the line of Brahmarishi Äpastamba

The stick angrily raised by Pedda Venkappa Raju slipped from his hands. Yes ! Ithappened exactly this way. His son Sathyanarayan had started performing miracles andas the crowds around him began to swell, an angry Pedda Venkappa Raju found his wayfrom the crowds and marched towards Sathyanarayan. He raised his club and demanded,“Tell me, who are you ?” Sathyanarayan was perfectly serene. In a calm tone He replied,“I am Saibaba. My gothra is Bharadwaj and lineage is Äpasthamba.”

Äpastamba Rishi wrote the ‘Sutra’, which is a volume that defines all the religiousrites and rituals. After doing penance for many years, he was finally blessed with thedarshan of Lord Shiva. It was according to Shiva’s boon, that ‘Shiva-Shakti’ incarnated asSri Sathya Sai in the Bharadwaj Gothra (lineage) and Äpasthamba Sutra (line).

In the past, many incarnations have taken birth in the family lineages of greatsages. Shri Vishnu incarnated as Parashuram, as the son of Jamdagni Rishi. When Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh willed to incarnate as the Triple Incarnation, they chose Atri Rishiand Anusuya Mata as the parents and Guru Dattatreya was born. Out of them, Brahmalater became the moon. Mahesh took the form of Sage Durvasa and Shri Vishnu continuedto stay as Lord Dattatreya, in the ashram of Atri Rishi to pursue knowledge. The purposeof this triple incarnation was to spread knowledge and bring about spiritual upliftmentin the world through the path of devotion.

The present Sri Sathya Sai avatar has incarnated to re-establish truth, righteousness,peace, love and non-violence in the world and through them lead mankind to attain thefour purusharthas – Dharma (righteousness), Artha (earn wealth by righteous means),Kama (have right desires) and Moksha (liberation).


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OM SRI SAI

ABHAYA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (27)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who gives security to all.

In the Ramayana, Prabhu Ramachandra has given a promise to the devotees. Hesays,

Abhayam Sarva BhootebhyoDadämyetad Vratam Mama.

‘I have taken a vow, that I will free all living beings from fear.’

We are so fortunate to have our Lord Sri Sathya Sairam among us, giving us thesame assurance. The devotees are attracted towards many different forms of God, but theone that attracts most, is where His hand is raised in blessing, because from the ‘abhayhasta’, they draw strength to cross this turbulent ocean of life, with confidence. In manyphotographs, we see Swami giving His blessings. His ‘abhay hasta’ makes us realize thatwe are under the umbrella of Swami’s grace.

A beautiful story about this ‘abhay hasta’. Once Swami was giving a discourse atChennai. The pavillion was packed with devotees. They were engrossed in Swami’s divinedarshan and His discourse. Suddenly, from the audience, a one year old child sitting in alady’s lap, began to wail loudly. She tried to quieten him, but to no avail. Instead, hestarted wailing louder. Everyone around was disturbed and was unable to hear and enjoythe divine discourse.

Just then, from the dais, while continuing with the discourse, Swami smiled, lookedin the direction of the child and raised His ‘abhay hasta’ in blessing. Next moment, Heclosed His fist tightly. The child stopped crying; the discourse continued. Swami told thetranslator, “A twentyfive paise coin was stuck in the child’s throat. Here, I have taken itout.” Saying so, Swami opened His fist. There was a twentyfive paise coin in it. On seeingit, the translator was excited, he immediately related the narrative to the audience andthe audience responded with a thunderous applause.

Here we must understand one thing; although the child was on its mother’s lap,she was unaware of the problem. So she did not even invoke Swami and the child was tooyoung to understand anything. But the One who grants freedom from fear, can anythingremain unknown to Him ?


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OM SRI SAI

RATNÄKAR VAMSHODBHAVÄYA NAMAH - (28)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is born in the dynasty of Ratnâkara.

Bhagawan Baba says, ‘Whenever God incarnates, He chooses a suitable dynastyand a place’. Baba chose the Ratnakar dynasty. Sri Kondamma Raju who belonged to thisdynasty was a pious person. Devi Sathyabhama, who was eagerly awaiting the arrival ofSri Krishna had come in his dream and given him an indication about the advent of SriKrishna in Puttaparthi, in the years to come.

The pious Sri Kondamma Raju had close relations with many realised souls. Heused to discuss spirituality with many of them. Among these was Venkavadhoot, a verylearned and luminous person. Once Sri Kondamma Raju and Sri Venkavadhoot weresitting in a banana grove and talking with each other. Suddenly Venkavadhoot heldKondamma Raju’s hand in his and said to him, “God Himself is going to incarnate inyour family.” In order that the meaning be clear to Sri Kondamma Raju, he repeated thissentence thrice and added, “You will have the good fortune to see this.” Saying so, hewent away and never returned again.

Who was this Venkavadhoot ? He was none other than the one named ‘Venkusa’whose name is mentioned in the Sri Shirdi Sai Satcharitra.

A fakir nurtured Shirdi Sai when he was a small child. After his death, his wifehanded Bala Sai’s responsibility to ‘Venkusa’ who was a learned, pious soul. Bala Saispent twelve years in his company. Venkusa nurtured this child with love and impartedknowledge to him. With the result, the other children in the ashram began to envy thechild. One of them hurled a brick at this divine child with the intention of killing him. Tosave the child, Venkusa came in the way and took, the brunt on his body. After this incident,the child decided to leave the ashram. Later he came to be known as Sri Sai Baba.

After Sainath’s samadhi Guru Venkusa wandered from place to place all over India.He met Kondamma Raju of the Ratnakar dynasty and told him, ‘God Himself will incarnatein your dynasty.’

On the morning of 23rd May 1940, when Bala Sathyanarayana moved His handsin thin air and distributed sugar candy and flowers to all the members of the family, thenews spread like wild-fire and people from the neighbourhood flocked aroundSathyanarayana. Pedda Venkappa was not home at the time. Somebody gave this newsto him and he rushed home. Finding his way through the crowds, he stood in front ofSathya. Angrily he raised the club in his hand at Sathya and asked, “Who are you ? Devilor ghost ? Or a madman ? Tell me the truth or I will beat you up.”

Sathya was calm. He replied peacefully, “I am Saibaba, Gothra Bharadwaj, SutraÄpasthamba. I have taken birth in the Ratnakar Vansha (dynasty) as a consequence ofyour prayers to Venkavadhoot.”

The word ‘Ratnakar’ also means an ocean. During ‘Samudra manthan’ (churningof the ocean) many precious gems emerged from it, so it came to be known as ‘Ratnakar’.May this Ocean of Compassion constantly shower His blessings on all the devotees.


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OM SRI SAI

SHIRDI SAI ABHEDA SHAKTAYÄVATÄRAYA NAMAH - (29)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Whose glory is not different from that of the Shirdi Avatar.

Prior to His birth and since His birth, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has performedmany miracles, to show that He is God incarnate. But on 23rd May 1940 He declared forthe first time that He is Saibaba. To prove this, He asked for a handful of fresh jasmineflowers and threw them on the ground. Miraculously they formed the word ‘Sai Baba’ inTelugu alphabets.

Even prior to these incidents, thousands of years ago, the sages Bhrigu, Vashishthaand Shuka have recorded about the advent of the triple incarnation of Sai-Shirdi Sai-Sathya Sai and Prema Sai. This has been written on the ‘Bhoorja patra’ (papyrus leaves) insanskrit language.

After the proclamation of His avatarhood, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has shownus through many leelas that He was Shirdi Sai in His earlier incarnation. Shardamma, alady devotee who had the good fortune of spending some time in the presence of theShirdi avatar, spent the latter part of her life in the divine presence of Sri Sathya Saiavatar. Smt Hirabai Badodekar, Shri Pandurang Dixit’s mother, received blessingsfrom both the avatars. They saw many similarities in the two forms - in the manner ofspeaking, facial expressions and the method of performing miracles.

This is a story from the times prior to the establishment of Dharmakshetra. Once,during a visit to Mumbai, Swami was residing at Shri Modi’s bungalow in Andheri. Onemorning, He called Shri and Smt. Pandurang Dixit to the bungalow for an interview.Accordingly, the couple reached there early in the morning. But Swami did not call themtill 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Both husband and wife kept waiting under the staircase, withouthaving taken any food. Finally at 3 p.m. Swami walked down the staircase and on seeingthem said, “Oh, Dixit ! How was your fast ? Today is Thursday; it is good. What a‘tapascharya’ ! come in.” For about an hour, Swami showered His grace on them. At 4p.m. suddenly Swami said, “I want to see the documentary you have filmed on Shirdi Sai.Go and bring it.”

Obeying Swami’s directive, Mr Dixit immediately left for the office, where the filmwas being processed. In fact, this film had been given for processing just two days priorand Mr Dixit knew that it would take at least 8 to 10 days, for it to get ready. But withfaith in Sai and in obedience to His word, Shri Dixit reached the office. As he entered thepremises, he saw a peon carrying two large boxes over his shoulders. These boxes containedthe reels of the documentary on Shirdi Sai. It seems, the film was processed through anew method hence it was ready in two days. Shri Dixit rushed back to the Mody bungalowwith those boxes. Swami had invited a few select devotees; Shri Dixit garlanded Swamiand started the film with His permission. As each scene flashed on the screen, Swamiwould describe it in great detail. On seeing the statue of the horse ‘Shyamsunder’, Swamisaid, “He was a cook by the name ‘Shyam’ in his earlier birth. Later when he was born asa horse, Sai named him Shyamsunder.” While commenting on Sai’s portrait inDwarakamayi, He said, “Kaka Jaykar kept persuading Me to grant him permission to dothis portrait. I had to sit in front of him for two whole days!”

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In this manner, Swami described every scene in detail. After the documentary gotover Swami said, “Do you know why I saw this film today ? I saw the film and celebratedMy birthday today.” Everyone present there was surprised by this comment becauseSwami’s birthday falls on 23rd November and the date on this particular day was 28thSeptember. How could this be ? Swami immediately cleared the doubt. He said, “NotMine; but of My earlier body.”

From this incident it is very clear that there is no difference whatsoever betweenthese two incarnations. To date, Swami has never visited Shirdi in His physical form, butthe way He described each and every detail, while seeing the documentary, doubts if anyabout the oneness of these two incarnations, get dispelled.


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OM SRI SAI

SHANKARÄYA NAMAH - (30)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of Shankara, the all-blissful auspicious God.

‘Shankaréti iti Shankarah’ is the meaning of ‘Shankara’. To explain further, ‘Shan’means happiness and ‘Kara’ means the one who bestows. Shankara is the God who bestowsbliss and prosperity upon us, and Sai is Shankara incarnate. So Bhagawan Sri Sathya Saibestows happiness upon us.

Since childhood, Sathyanarayana had a habit of drawing a horizontal line of vibhution His forehead. He used to tell His elder sister to put a big dot of ‘kumkum’ in betweenthe lines of vibhuti. If the vibhuti or kumkum got wiped out, Sathyanarayana wouldinsist on applying it again. But everyone realized its significance much later-that vibhutisymbolizes Shiva and kumkum symbolizes Shakti.

Later in 1940, at the Virupâksha temple in Hampi, Bhagawan Baba gave a visionof His form in place of the Shivalingam and revealed for the first time that He andVirupaksha were one and the same. When the foundation work of the PrashanthiMandir commenced, many bases which support the Shivalingam were foundunderground. Someone asked Baba, “Where are the Shivalingams ?“ He smiled andpointed towards His stomach. None really understood the meaning of this gesture atthe time, but when the ‘Lingodbhav’ started during ‘Mahashivaratri’, the mysterywas cleared.

Shiva loves vibhuti. The Divine Father Shiva smears vibhuti all over His bodyso He is also known as ‘Vibhuti Bhushan’. In the Shirdi incarnation, Sai created theburning fire through His yogic powers and lit the ‘Akhand Dhuni’ (the eternal fire).He used to distribute the udi (vibhuti / ash) from this fire as ‘prasad’. Today BhagawanSri Sathya Sai Baba materializes the sacred eternal vibhuti and gives it to His devotees.

Here is one more story about the ‘Shankar Roopa’ of Bhagawan Sri Sathya SaiBaba. There was a devout couple, who were very sad because they had no issue. Thelady undertook severe penance and worship of Guru Dattatreya, and was able to secureHis grace. Those who knew about her wish insisted that she should seek blessings ofsome realized souls and accept a ‘Guru’. But the lady had resolved in her mind thatunless she got verily the vision of God Himself in a ‘Guru’, she would not accept himas a Master. Once her husband became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized. Atthat time Sri Sathya Sai gave her darshan in a dream and called them both toPuttaparthi. When the couple reached there, Swami called them for an interview. Inthe first interview itself, He gave her darshan in the form of Shankara, with the crescentmoon on His forehead, Ganga falling from His head and vibhuti smeared all over Hisbody! This Sai Shankara then filled their life with so much joy, that it left no place forany sadness or regret.

With the darshan of Sai Shankara, all our sins get washed away and on gettingHis charan sparsh, we become free from bondage.

Bhagirath undertook severe penance and brought the Ganga down to earthfrom the heavens. The powerful force of its waters would have flooded the earth, soBhagawan Shiva Shankara held her in His hair and later she started flowing on earthin a regulated manner to bless all. All the people rejoiced. Today Sai Shankara hasundertaken ‘Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Projects’ all over India and has givenhappiness to all the people with the ‘Ganga’ of grace.


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DAY THREE(SATURDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA


CHAPTERS 31 TO 45

MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI SAI

SHIRDI SAI MOORTAYÉ NAMAH - (31)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the incarnation of Shirdi Sai.

This is a story that dates back, sixty years. An educated young man came to Vasai(near Mumbai) from the Village of Vareri in Konkan, Maharashtra. He came with theintention of securing a job in the field of education. At the time, Vasai was a mere village.This young man was Shri Mahadeo Mangesh Pinge. He took up a job as a school teacher.In those days the salary of a teacher was very low. In such a situation, the entire familyincluding himself , contracted malaria. Their health suffered a great deal. So they leftVasai and moved to Dadar. They managed to get a two-room tenament. But their financialcondition remained unstable. The earlier tenant had left behind two photographs on thewall, one of Gurudeo Dattatreya and the other one of Shirdi Sai Baba. Shri Pinge startedgarlanding and worshipping both the photographs, although he did not know much aboutShri Shirdi Sai Baba.

One day unexpectedly a fakir came to his door and asked him for ‘dakshina’,amounting to a rupee and quarter. At that time Shri Pinge was not in a position to pay theamount so he kept two annas on the fakir’s palm. In those days even two annas was aconsiderable amount.

The fakir took the coins and he touched them to Shri Pinge’s forehead and then tohis own forehead. Then he closed his fist tightly and asked Shri Pinge to cup his palm.Water trickled from the fakir’s closed fist and it fell into Shri Pinge’s palm. Mrs Pinge wasobserving everything from the house and as the fakir asked Shri Pinge to drink up thewater, she came out and said, “What are you doing ? Don’t drink that water!” But bythen, Shri Pinge had already gulped it down.

Suddenly the fakir did something most unexpected. He took out his intestinesfrom the mouth and kept those warm intestines on Shri Pinge’s hand. Instantly, he restoredthem back in his body through his mouth. On seeing this Shri and Smt Pinge were reallyfrightened. By the time they recovered their wits the fakir had gone away.

The fakir left and Shri Pinge noticed the similarity between the fakir and thephotograph of Shirdi Sai and he realized that He was Sainath! He set out in search of Himbut could not trace Him anywhere.

However, one thing happened. From that day, they were cured of malaria andtheir financial condition started improving. Shri Pinge started tutorial classes and in ashort time Pinge’s Tutorials became well-known all over Maharashtra and they prosperedgreatly.

Shirdi Sainath used to say, “Just like one ties a string on a sparrow’s feet and pullsher to oneself, I search out and select the people whom I like and pull them towards Me.”

Shri Pinge was a noble soul. So Sainath blessed him by giving darshan in the ShirdiSai form and improved his health and helped him prosper. In 1964, Sri Sathya Sai alsoblessed Shri Pinge. He granted him the honour to perform the ‘bhoomi poojan’ (ceremonyfor laying the foundation stone) of His ashram in Mumbai. Swami also graced the SilverJubilee Celebrations of Pinge’s classes with His divine Presence and showered His loveand grace on this noble devotee and his endeavours.


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OM SRI SAI

DWÄRAKÄMÄYI VÄSINÉ NAMAH - (32)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the resident of Dwärakä Mäyi.

In the Shirdi incarnation, Sai resided in a dilapidated masjid called Dwarakamayi.He has described it as follows :

‘This is our Dwarakamayi, who looks after one and all.whoever sits in this masjid, She assures her children fearlessness and frees them from worry.

‘This masjidmayi is very gracious. She is the mother of all the simple-hearted devotees.Whoever may encounter any difficulties, she will instantly protect him without a doubt.’

‘Once one sits in her lap, he is bound to attain salvation. Whoever rests in her shade willalways derive happiness.’

‘This is Dwaraka, whose gates are open to all.’

The place where doors are open to people of all castes and creeds, foraccomplishing the four Purusharthas, is called Dwaraka. All four types of devoteesare showered with grace and blessings here.

Shirdi Sai had asked devotees to construct a temple of Sri Krishna in the ‘Bootiwada’. This is now the Sri Sai Samadhi Mandir.

In the second incarnation Sai has created a new Dwaraka, known as ‘PrashanthiNilayam’. People of all castes, creeds and religions are welcome here. Just like inDwarakamayi, the four types of devotees, ‘Ärta’ (seeking help), ‘Arthärthi’ (seekingwealth), ‘Jignyäsu’ (seeking knowledge) and ‘Gyani’ (seeking wisdom), are blessedhere for accomplishing the four Purusharthas of ‘Dharma’ (righteousness), ‘Artha’(wealth), ‘Kama’ (good desire) and ‘Moksha’ (liberation).

This is a story of a Sai devotee named Shri Shyam Juwale from Mumbai. Hewrote a book, which was blessed by Swami. At the time, a special event was beingcelebrated at Shirdi to commemorate the completion of 80 years of the samadhi of theShirdi Sai avatar. Shyambhau attended this celebration and carried this book alongwith him. When he went near the samadhi of Shirdi Sai, the electricity went offunexpectedly. There was total darkness. Only the effulgent idol of Sri Sainath wasvisible in the dim light of the burning oil lamps. Suddenly, he could see Sri Sathya SaiBaba standing behind the samadhi with a gentle smile on His face. Shayambhau wasoverwhelmed and tears of bliss started rolling down his cheeks. He bowed down inreverence and placed his head on the samadhi. Just then, the power supply wasrestored.

A noble devotee was blessed with the darshan of Parthi Sai Krishna in thevicinity of Shirdi Sai’s holy Dwarakamayi.


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OM SRI SAI

CHITRÄVATHI TATA PUTTAPARTHI VIHÄRINÉ NAMAH - (33)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who resides in Puttaparthi on the banks of the river Chitravati.

The village of Puttaparthi rests on the banks of the Chitravathi river. This riveroriginates from the Nandi Hills in Mysore. The hills are shaped like the ‘Nandi’ (LordShiva’s vehicle – the bull) so they have derived the name ‘Nandi Hills’. The kings fromthe Chola Dynasty constructed a Shiva temple here, during their reign.

Whenever divine incarnations have appeared on earth, they have selectedsettlements along the banks of rivers, as their places of birth. Sri Rama was born inAyodhya, on the banks of the Saryu river, Sri Krishna was born on the banks of Yamuna.Shirdi Sai too was born near a river bank in the ‘Pathri’ village to Devarigiamma andGangabhav. In the same manner, Sri Sathya Sai Baba chose His birth place on the banks ofthe river Chitravathi. In childhood, He would sport with His friends on the sands of thisriver.

Before Prashanthi Nilayam was constructed Swami would go the Chitravathi rivereveryday, along with His devotees. He would sit on the sands and sing bhajans and impartinstructions to them. He also performed a number of miracles on these banks. He wouldmove His hands through the sands and materialize rare idols for His devotees. He hasmanifested several gems, conches, yantras, pens and even a copy of the Bhagavad Gitaand delighted His devotees. After spending long hours on the Chitravathi sands, whenthe devotees, especially the young children, would feel hungry, Swami would move Hishand through the sands and materialize hot ‘mysorepak’ dripping with ghee and steamymeduvadas, and these eatables would not have a single grain of sand struck to them !How blessed were those devotees, who had the good fortune to witness these miracles....

This is a story from the time when Swami used to reside in the old mandir. It wasthe monsoon season. The rain started coming down heavily. The torrential rainfall justwould not cease. This constant rain caused a rise in the water levels of the Chitravathiriver. The water flooded the banks and started flowing towards the village. It seemedeverything would soon get submerged in the water. In the time of the Krishnavatar, whenthe waters of the Yamuna rose and started flooding Gokulam, the people had prayed toSri Krishna. In the same manner, the villagers of Parthi, had only one refuge – Swami.The flood water started flowing towards the Mandir. Just as the Yamuna yearned to takecharansparsh of Sri Krishna, the waters of the Chitravathi too yearned to touch the lotusfeet of Sai Krishna. If the water level had risen any higher, the temple and the houses ofthe devotees would have been submerged in it. Was it difficult for Sai Krishna to perceivethis ? He rushed out, allowed the water to touch His lotus feet and commanded the river,“Enough ! No more, now go back !” And the river Chitravathi, sanctified by the touch ofPrabhu Sai, calmed down and the water started receding rapidly.


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OM SRI SAI

SHAKTI PRADÄYA NAMAH - (34)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who bestows strength.

The word ‘Prada’ means the one who bestows. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba isShiva Shakti incarnate and bestows strength, vitality and wisdom upon His devotees.From Shiva we receive bliss and Shakti grants us vitality, fortitude and intelligence.

In the life of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Who is a bestower of strength, we findmany instances where He has transmitted special powers and we are able to witness itseffects.

In July, 1957, Bhagawan Baba visited the ashram of Swami Shivananda at Rishikesh.Swami Shivananda, seated in a wheel chair, went along with his disciples to welcomeBhagawan and greeted Him by joining both his hands together. Bhagawan Baba raisedHis ‘abhay hasta’ and blessed everyone. The next day, Baba moved His hand in a circularmotion and materialized a rudraksha mala of 108 beads, set in gold. He put it aroundSwami Shivananda’s neck. He also materialized vibhuti and smeared it on his forehead.

During His stay in the ashram, Bhagawan Baba gave a discourse to SwamiShivananda and his disciples every day. One day Baba materialized some fruits and vibhutiand asked Shivananda Swami to eat it. From that moment onwards, there was a dramaticimprovement in Swami Shivananda’s health. The same Swami Shivananda who had goneto welcome Baba in a wheelchair, the moment he became a recipient of strength fromBhagawan, was able to now stand on his feet. Later, he himself walked with Bhagawan toshow Him the ashram and its surroundings, with great enthusiasm.

This is how the Shiva-Shakti incarnation Bhagawan Baba healed the great ailingyogi and brought him back to normalcy. This incident represents just one example. Butthere are innumerable noble devotees, who have been blessed with wisdom and vitalitythrough Bhagawan Baba’s grace.

In 1961, Bhagawan Baba visited Badrinath along with a few select devotees. Thepurpose of this pilgrimage was not only to secure the darshan of Badrinath for His devotees,but to also revitalize the ‘Shakti’ (divine potency) in the ‘Atmalinga’ which was installedunder the idol of Narayana. This ‘Atmalinga’ was given by Lord Shiva Himself to SriShankaracharya. Baba retrieved it from its hidden place and sanctified it with all the rituals.He also gave an opportunity to all His devotees, to have darshan of this ‘Atmalinga’ andthen sent it back to its original place after empowering it with divine potency. Later, healso empowered the ‘Jyotirling’ in like manner, at the Somnath temple in Saurashtra. Hevisited Dwarka, Pandharpur and Sri Sailam to revitalize the divine powers in the respectiveidols. Such things are possible only for the Shiva-Shakti incarnation.


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OM SRI SAI

SHARANÄGATA TRÄNÄYA NAMAH - (35)Salutations to Sri Sai, Who saves the one who seeks refuge in Him.

‘Sharanägata’ means the one who has surrendered and ‘tränäy’ means to protect.A devotee who offers his body, heart and soul at Swami’s divine lotus feet can be called a‘Sharanägata’. In all the earlier divine incarnations, God has always protected those, whohave completely surrendered to Him.

In the Ramavataar, Prabhu Ramachandra declared, “Whosoever surrenderscompletely to Me, however sinful he may have been in his past life, I will accept him.”

In the Krishnavataar, Sri Krishna has said, “Mämékam Sharanam Vraja’, meaningthereby, “Surrender to Me alone and I will take you across and liberate you.”

In the Shirdi incarnation, Sainath has declared, “Is it possible to find that anyonewho has surrendered to Me, has not been protected ? Show Me, show Me such a person”,meaning thereby, ‘Whoever surrenders to Me completely, I promise to take him acrossthis ocean of life.’ Sainath also says, “I will always carry your burden. This is My promiseto you.”

In this present Sri Sathya Sai avatar, Swami says, “Surrender completely and saveyourself.” Here is a beautiful story that illustrates this statement.

Kuppuswami was Swami’s childhood friend. They were both studying in the sameclass and were best friends. Wherever Swami went, Kuppuswami always accompaniedHim. One day as they were talking to each other, Kuppuswami said to Baba, “Swami, wedevotees love You so much, that if required we can even offer our life for You.” Swamiinterrupted him and said, “Speak for yourself. Why do you give assurance on behalf ofothers ?”

After a few days, along with His friends Swami walked through a forest. SuddenlyHe cautioned His friends to keep quiet and warned them, “See ! There is a ferocious tigerapproaching us. All of you run away. The tiger may even want Me as his prey. So hurryup, run !”

As they saw the ferocious tiger, everyone ran away. Only Kuppuswami and twoothers waited there. Kuppuswami held onto Swami’s feet and closed his eyes tightly.Soon he heard Bhagawan Baba’s words, “Now you may go back,” and the tiger wentback.

Swami then asked Kuppuswami to get up and said, “Oh ! you are still here ? Whydidn’t you run away ? Where are all your friends, about whose devotion you were givingMe assurance ?” Kuppuswami replied, “Swami, wherever You are, I am bound to getprotected.”

This is how Kuppuswami’s devotion and surrender towards Bhagawan Babaremained for all time. In 1976 Kuppuswami fell seriously ill. The doctors diagnosed it tobe blood cancer. Weak and ailing, Kuppuswami came for Swami’s darshan. On meetingSwami, he started talking as if he was to pass away soon. He said, “Swami, I am quitecertain that at least, in this life, I have not sinned. But if I am meant to suffer this illness, Iwould prefer to give up my life at Your feet.” No sooner did He hear these words, Swamispoke in an authoritative tone, “Have I brought you in this world along with Me, on thesame day (on the same birthday) to let you die this way ? I have cancelled your bloodcancer today,” and from that moment Kuppuswami was cured of leukemia.

This was made possible only due to Kuppuswami’s intense devotion and totalsurrender to Bhagawan Baba, right from childhood.

Let us all simply say,”Sharanägata Priya Sairam Sharanam Sharanam Sairam”

Sairam loves all those who surrender to Him completely. Let us surrender to Sairam.


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OM SRI SAI

ÄNANDÄYA NAMAH - (36)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is blissful.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says, “Happiness or satisfaction are temporary things.But bliss is eternal.” Swami Who is the Ocean of eternal bliss says, “Love is My form.Truth is My name. Bliss is My food.”

Swami says, ‘ For My own joy, I created this universe from just one word. Untilthen, there was no one to know Me. Immediately mountains rose up. Rivers started flowing.Earth and sky, oceans and water bodies were created. The sun, moon and deserts sprangup out of nothing, to prove My existence. Then appeared all the living creatures, of differentshapes and sizes, the animals, birds, talking and listening. And finally I created man, inMy own image. He was give the first place and My knowledge was placed in his mind.’

Millions of Sai devotees from all over the world are deriving joy from these words.Swami is the embodiment of bliss. Just His name is enough to fill everyone’s hearts withananda. His ‘darshan, sparshan and sambhashan’ confers on the devotees, the highestbliss. When the ‘Satcidananda Swaroopa’ Bhagawan Baba gives darshan to His devotees,the reward of bliss that is conferred on them, elevates their minds and spirits. The otherwisedry hearts blossom with devotion and the devotees feel secure in His love. The process ofsurrendering to Bhagawan’s Will starts taking shape and the devotees realize forthemselves that the auspicious beginning of transformation is shaping their lives for thebetter.

When Sri Krishna came and blessed the gopis with His darshan, sparshan andsambhashan, the gopis used to experience an overpowering bliss. We all experience thesame phenomena today. Why does this happen ?

It is best to understand this in Swami’s own words. Swami says, “My heart is ever-filled to the brim with blessings. I have no ego. I do not own anything. This is My truth. Iam ever in bliss, bliss and bliss alone….”


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OM SRI SAI

ANAND DÄYA NAMAH - (37)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who grants eternal bliss.

Bhagawan Baba, the ‘embodiment of Ananda’, always confers bliss on His devotees.Swami says, “I am pure love. I can give you only one thing and that is bliss. Throughbliss, I give you love. To give peace, courage and consolation to My devotees, is Mymission. This means that My characteristics are unchanging; they were present in Myearlier form too. Now, only My manifest physical form is new.”

The mere thought of Swami’s darshan makes the devotees happy. And on gettingHis darshan, the waves of joy that sweep across them make them realize the uniquespiritual power of the Supreme Master, who alone can grant such bliss. Seeing thehappiness on the faces of His devotees Swami says...

“The bliss that emanates from the radiant faces of this huge crowd, is My food. Ilive on that. When you are happy and content, I feel fresh. When your eyes twinkle withjoy, My thirst is quenched. Your bliss is My nourishment. I only want My bliss to reachyou and wish to share your joy. This mutual interaction is necessary.”

Here is a small story, which narrates how Swami imparts bliss to His devotees. Someyears ago, a family had gone for Swami’s darshan. A little girl in the group felt that Swamishould look at her. So in darshan, this girl started shouting aloud, “Swami, Swami! “He wasquite far away. After hearing her voice He looked at her and indicated to her to keep quiet byputting His finger on the lips and saying, “Shooo!” Then He walked a few steps further,picked up a few chocolates from the plate of a devotee and threw them towards her. They fellstraight into her tiny hands. She counted them; they were six in number. The number offamily members who had come for Swami’s darshan was exactly six! This little girl was ecstaticand her happiness was beyond description. She shared the chocolates with all the six familymembers and doubled her joy.

If such a small incident can give so much joy to the devotee, what will happenwhen Swami showers His unending grace in bigger doses! All the negative qualities ofthe devotee drop away and pure eternal bliss remains. Swami says, “To give bliss, is Mytask. So not once, or twice or thrice, but however many times you want, I will comeamongst you to shower this bliss...”


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OM SRI SAI

ÄRTA TRÄNA PARÄYANÄYA NAMAH - (38)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is devoted solely in serving those in distress.

The Bhagavad Gita expounds on four types of devotees – ‘Ärta’ (seeking help),Arthärthi’ (seeking wealth), ‘Jignäsu’ (seeking knowledge) and ‘Gyani’ (seeking wisdom).Amongst these four, the first type, the ‘Ärta’, are the ones who seek divine help from theincarnations of God, Who in turn, nurtures them and takes them towards Self Realization.

In the present avatar, Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the Ultimate Refuge to those who seekHis help. Here is a story about Shri Suresh Dixit, who was the nephew of an ardent devoteeof Swami, Shri Pandurang Dixit.

Shri Suresh Dixit suffered from ‘sarcoma’ a type of cancer of the leg, at a youngage. He had very small children and he was the sole breadwinner of the family. The entirefamily was drowned in sorrow. Since Suresh’s father was not alive, Shri Pandurang Dixitwas the head of the family. When he heard about his nephew’s illness, he enquired withthe doctors. They told him, “In this illness, the leg has to be amputated. After that thepatient may survive from six months to one year.” At the time, Suresh was in hospitaland was undergoing chemotherapy.

Swami visited Mumbai around the same time. Shri Pandurang Dixit thought tohimself, ‘Why not take Suresh to Dharmakshetra?’ Accordingly he took Suresh there fromthe hospital. Since Shri Dixit was the President of the Sai Samithi, he had to attend somemeetings, so he left Suresh with Shrikant Sawant, another Sai devotee and Dr. Dharkar,Suresh’s father-in-law with instructions, that he should be introduced to Swami.

Swami, the Ultimate Refuge, came out from Satyadeep to give darshan and walkedup straight to Suresh. To the One Who knows all the mysteries of the universe, does Heneed an introduction ? Without asking Suresh anything, Swami said, “Cancel the cancer!From today you will start a new life; new birthday!” and He materialized vibhuti andasked Suresh to eat it. Due to this unexpected turn of events, Suresh forgot to take Swami’spadnamaskar. This kept bothering him. But the compassionate Swami came back, liftedthe robe slightly and asked Suresh to take padnamaskar.

After this incident, Suresh recovered very rapidly. All the reports were normaland by Swami’s grace his life was restored to normalcy. This is just one example, theremay be many known and unknown devotees who have found their refuge in Swami andWho has freed them from distress.


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OM SRI SAI

ANÄTHA NÄTHÄYA NAMAH - (39)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the Guardian or the Lord of destitute.

In Marathi there is a proverb which says, ‘One who does not have anybody in thisworld, he has God’. God is the Guardian of every living being in this world, so in factnobody is a destitute. But when human beings neglect such souls, they develop a feelingthat they are orphans. Bhagawan Baba’s name ‘Sai Baba’ itself suggests that He is theDivine Mother and Father. He nurtures the world and looks after those who are helpless.

One incident in this context from His Shirdi incarnation. People from all walks oflife used to come to Shirdi Sainath for refuge. From rich to poor, ailing and healthy, therewere all types of devotees. Amongst these, there was one Bhagoji Shinde. As an effect ofhis past karma he suffered from leprosy and was estranged from his family. This Bhagojicame to Sainath to seek His refuge and Sainath who is ‘Anätha Nath’ (Guardian of thedestitute), welcomed him. Sai used to personally clean Bhagoji’s wounds, apply oil andturmeric on them and bandage them daily. While partaking food He would feed himfrom His own share. Every morning He would allow Bhagoji to massage Him and pressHis feet and the only reason for this was to make Bhagoji happy. This went on for manyyears. Bhagoji who had been orphaned by the world, God Himself took him close andbecame his Guardian.

Sai’s second incarnation Sri Sathya Sai is also ‘Anätha Nätha’. Right from Hischildhood, He always helped the poor and the downtrodden, gave them food and clothesand served them all the time. Later, this was transformed into ‘Narayan seva’. NowSwami’s devotees from all over the world participate in this seva. Since the ‘Sathya SaiSevadal’ came into existence, every active worker has got involved in serving others andthinks himself to be blessed, for getting this opportunity. Whenever there is a naturalcalamity, Swami’s devotees from all over the world lend a helping hand to all those whohave suffered by becoming instruments in the divine hands.

Here is a story from foreign shores. A lady devotee of Swami from abroad wasalways involved in feeding and helping the poor and the downtrodden. Once due toheavy rains and floods, she was unable to visit a particular area. During those eight days,she continuously invoked Swami and prayed to Him to look after those helpless people.She was very concerned about their well-being. After eight days, the situation eased andit became possible for her to visit the place.

She carried food, medicines along with Swami’s photographs and vibhuti packets,to distribute among the people. On reaching there, she realized that everyone was safeand secure. She started distributing food packets and Swami’s photographs and noticedthat on seeing the photographs, all those persons started discussing amongst themselves.When she enquired, she was told that in her absence the Person from the photographused to come and give food and medicines to all of them! They thought Him to be herassistant helper! On hearing this, she was choked with emotion. She told them aboutSwami and all of them offered their heartfelt gratitude to the ‘Anätha Natha’ Sri SathyaSai.


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OM SRI SAI

ASAHÄYA SAHÄYÄYA NAMAH - (40)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the helper of the helpless.

The Saviour of this world, Bhagawan Baba is constantly engaged in helping thehelpless. By giving them asylum, He steadies their life. He always tells His devotees,‘’Help those in distress. This is the only way to reach God. Seva creates love for God inyour minds.’’

In this constant help of devotees, Bhagawan Baba is not bound by place or time.Here is an incident in this regard, narrated by Sri N. Kasturi.

A middle-aged lady from San Diego in USA, lived in an apartment, in a tallskyscraper, all by herself. She had arthritis and sometimes suffered excruciating pain.Once at 11 O’clock at night, she started feeling acute pain. The agony was so unbearable,she started screaming aloud, ‘’Is anyone there? Can someone relieve me from this pain?’’Suddenly, she noticed that Swami was standing next to her bedside. He patted her gentlyon her head and said, ’’Why are you wailing so loudly? I am right here!’’ And slowly thelady was relieved of her pain.

While commenting on this episode Sri Kasturi says, ‘’Everyone needs to know thatwe are never alone. Somebody is always with us, although we may not be aware of Hisname and address.’’

Not only Swami, but by His inspiration His devotees also, help those who areneedy and helpless. Here is an enlightening episode.

A person belonging to the lower strata of society, residing at Ratnagiri ofMaharashtra, fell ill. The doctors diagnosed it to be heart disease. He was advised to go toMumbai for treatment. Somehow he managed to collect some funds and got himselfchecked in a municipal hospital in Mumbai. They confirmed the diagnosis but told himthat the hospital did not have any facility for an open-heart surgery. The man was confusedand did not know what to do. Disappointed he left for his home town. In the train he meta person who was a Sai devotee. As they talked, he narrated his sad story to the co-traveller. The companion told him, ’’Don’t worry. In Sathya Sai Baba’s hospital all typesof heart surgeries are performed and that too completely free of cost.’’ The man washappy; at last there was a ray of hope. On reaching Ratnagiri, he tried to find someinformation about the hospital, but no one seemed to be aware of it. But he did manage toget one bit of information; he got the address of the Sai Samithi at Ratnagiri. As soon as hegot this piece of news, he went and met the concerned office bearers. They guided himabout the whole procedure, and also paid towards his travelling and other expenses. Hewent to Puttaparthi with a lot of hope.

A few days later he returned home with a broken heart... He met the office bearersand shared his sorrowful story with them. At the Puttaparthi Hospital all the diagnostictests had revealed that he had defective heart valves and they needed to be replaced. Buthe was also told that for the time being, the surgeries for replacement of heart valves hadbeen discontinued. It seems the patients who had undergone this surgery earlier, did notreturn for a regular post operative check-up, which is very vital in this surgery; so thisfacility had been temporarily discontinued.

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The patient was really disappointed, but the office bearers of the Sai Samithi didnot give up hope. They got in touch with some Sai devotees and NGOs in Mumbai andmanaged to raise some financial help. They themselves added some more to this amountand sent this patient to Mumbai once again. He got admitted into KEM hospital. All thenecessary tests were carried out and the date and the time for the surgery was fixed.

And on the day of the surgery, something most unexpected happened! A wardboycame to the patient and started telling him, ”You cannot get operated here; leave thehospital immediately.’’ Now the patient was nervous. The wardboy started pulling himout of his bed. The man was in tears. And just then, as if God had sent an angel, a devoteeof Swami reached there. He knew about the surgery so he had come to visit the patient.But when he observed the situation, he lost his temper. He rebuked the wardboy andimmediately met the hospital dean. Everything was settled. The surgery went offsuccessfully and the patient recovered his health.

What if the Sai devotee had not reached the hospital at that moment ? He reachedthere in the nick of time, only by Swami’s inspiration and offered his seva as ‘Madhavseva’-service to God!

‘’Whoever helps those who are helpless and sad, know that he is a ‘sadhu’ (goodman); recognize him as God”.

This verse of Saint Tukaram was translated into reality on that day....


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OM SRI SAI

LOKA BÄNDHÄVÄYA NAMAH - (41)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the kith and the kin of the whole world.

Swami, Who is the sole provider for this entire world, looks after us even morelovingly than our closest relatives. He removes the obstacles and helps everyone crossthis ocean of life.

Bhagawan Baba expects a similar attitude of service from His devotees. He says,“You may not be able to help always, but at least don’t hurt anyone. Go to the needy, beone with them; try to reduce their mental and physical agony, to whatever extent youcan...”

In earlier times, there were no comforts in the ashram as compared to now. At thattime Swami used to tell the sevadal volunteers, “Everyone comes here for Sai, not foryou. They are undergoing a lot of stress, a lot of suffering. Everyone has thousands ofhousehold problems, calamities and suffering. They just want to see Sai to their heart’scontent and be peaceful and happy. So speak to them softly and lovingly, as if they areyour own brothers and sisters and give them peace of mind”.

Swami always says, “My life is My message.” His glorious actions are proof thatHe is ‘Loka Bandhava’. Here is a story from the times when Prashanthi Nilayam was notestablished.

A couple who were devotees of Swami arrived for His darshan. They had broughttheir son along, who had a severe stomach ache and was suffering from dysentery. Evenat night he had to go to answer nature’s call, to the hills nearby. His parents had to leavefor their village to attend to some urgent work. So they entrusted their sick child to Swamiand left. Swami, Who is the Divine Parent of the entire world, is He not going to take careof this child? In those days, there were no toilets. So at night , Swami Himself used tocarry water and accompany the child. One night when the boy felt like going to the toilet,Swami rebuked him in a strong tone saying, “Don’t go, sit here!”. Swami kept looking athim. After about an hour, the child’s stomach ache and dysentery stopped and he fellasleep peacefully.

Even in the earlier incranations, we hear about many instances when God has servedHis devotees. He stayed in Eknath’s house and served him as ‘Shrikhandya’. He used towash Janabai’s clothes, weave Kabir’s cloth. He was a Charioteer of Arjuna. He evencarried Draupadi’s footwear. Only close relatives serve one in this manner and since Swamiis ‘Lok Bandhava’, the Universal Brother, He serves all His devotees lovingly...


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OM SRI SAI

LOKA RAKSHÄ PARÄYANÄYA NAMAH - (42)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is solely devoted in protecting the whole world.

While explaining in the Gita why He incarnates, Bhagawan has declared,‘Paritrânâya Sadhunâm’, meaning thereby, ‘I am born from age to age to protect the goodpeople’. In His present avatar, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is constantly engaged in thetask of protecting good people.

Here is a story about how Swami protected a noble devotee of His. Sri Radhakrishnaof Kuppam was an ardent devotee of Swami. He was suffering from flatulence andwhenever the problem became acute, he would suffer from unbearable stomach ache andsevere vomitting. Once when these symptoms surfaced, the vomitting and pain left himso weak that he could not even walk a single step without the support of two helpers. So,the doctor injected him with a tranquiliser so that he could get some sleep. On seeing himfast asleep, his family members retired for the night. After some time, when one of themwoke up, he found that Radhakrishna was not in bed. They started looking for him allover and could not understand how he could have gone anywhere, since he was unableto take even a single step without help.

When they could not trace him in the house, they came out and started calling outto him aloud. There was a response from a nearby well. They all rushed there. The wellwas very deep and the wall was five feet high. They wondered as to how he could havefallen in, yet could see him standing with both hands raised as if somebody was supportinghim from below. So his son threw in a twenty feet long bamboo for support, but the wellwas so deep that it fell in the water. Just then a policeman who was on night-duty reachedthere. He brought a chair from the house, tied it to a rope and dropped it inside the well-but in vain, for that too, could not reach Radhakrishna. Finally, his son tried to go downby the steps of the well,to lift him up with His hands but that effort also failed. And thensuddenly, as if someone pushed him from below, Radhakrishna was thrown up and helanded exactly in the chair. He was pulled up with the rope.

When he was brought out safely, everyone enquired what exactly happened. Heanswered, “The agony was so unbearable that I decided to end my life and went towardsthe well. I don’t remember what happened later, but I recovered consciousness with thetouch of the cold water and realized that I was standing on some sort of a support”. Whenthe family asked the policeman how he reached there, he said, “When I was patrolling inthe area nearby, an old man came to me and said, ‘Go immediately. Radhakrishna needsyour help’. So I came here.” Although he had fallen from such a great height, he wascompletely unhurt -only the metallic vibhuti case in his pocket was crushed beyondrecovery.

The next morning they hired a cab and all of them left for Puttaparthi, to seekSwami’s darshan. The moment they reached Prashanthi Nilayam, they saw Swamistanding on the verandah. He smiled and said, ”My shoulders are still hurting. All of lastnight, I was carrying you over them!”. They all fell at Swami’s divine lotus feet...


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OM SRI SAI

LOKA NÄTHÄYA NAMAH - (43)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the beloved Lord of all mankind.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is ‘Loka Näth’. He is the Master (Swami) of thisentire universe. It is said that all the worlds (lokäs) are contained inside man himself.Thus Swami is the Supreme Lord of both which is visible outside and that which iscontained inside.

‘Jagatpati’ Baba was once asked a question, “While this present incarnation iswalking this earth, Yogi Aurobindo is here too.” In a flash Bhagawan Baba answered,“He is ‘Vyakti Näth’ and I am ‘Loka Näth.’ The inner significance of this statement is : SriAurobindo is the guardian of only those who worship him alone. But Swami is the guardianof all, because He responds to the worship of any form of God. Therefore He is ‘LokaNäth.’ The person who asked this question probably did not know that a day after Swami’sadvent Shri Aurobindo had declared, “Today God has incarnated on earth.” Whiledescribing Bhagawan Baba’s glory, Swami Chinmayananda too has said, “I preach to theclasses, but Swami preaches to the masses.”

The ‘masses’ have now spread to the entire world. People of different faiths fromall over have experienced that whichever form of God they worship, their prayers reachBhagawan Baba. Swami says, “I do not belong to any one place. I am not bound by anyone name. I have nothing which is ‘yours and Mine’. By whichever name you call Me, Irespond and I am present there.”

The experience of an American lady devotee of Swami, Mrs. Hislop illustrates thatSwami is ‘Loka Nath’. When Mrs. Hislop was a young child, she saw a vision of an oldman wearing a white robe and a white turban, on the wall of the garden outside herhouse. In fact, considering her tender age and her faith in her religion and Lord Jesus,there is no reason, why she should get this darshan; but she was blessed with it.

Later, when she came to Swami and saw the photograph of Shirdi Sainath, sherecognized it and realized the oneness of both the incarnations, remembering the incidentfrom her childhood. Bhagawan Baba showered His grace on her, long before she knewabout Him!

In the Markandeya Puräna it is written that, ‘Bhagawan Vishnu, the Protector ofthe universe, will incarnate in South India during Kaliyuga. He will establish peace onearth, everyone will worship Him, as Protector of mankind and His name will be ‘Sathya’(Truth).


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OM SRI SAI

DEENA JANA POSHANÄYA NAMAH - (44)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who nourishes and sustains the poor and the destitute.

‘Srishti, Sthiti and Laya’ are three out of the seven well-known characteristics of anincarnation. ‘Srishti’ is creation, ‘Sthiti’ is maintenance and ‘Laya’ is ultimate dissolution.Swami is God Incarnate and we find that all these three characteristics are within Swami’sabsolute control. ‘Sthiti’ or maintenance means to nurture and protect all living beings.Swami is constantly engaged in this task.

In childhood, Swami always gave away food and clothes to any needy person whoknocked on the door. He used to urge His family members to do the same and severaltimes Mother Easwaramma would rebuke Him but little Sathya would never stir fromHis determination.

After the declaration of His avatarhood, the helpless and the seekers of wealththronged to Swami and continue to do so even now. Swami showers His love and nurturesthem and He also encourages their special talents. Here is an unusual story to illustratethis.

Along with the helpless and the seekers of wealth, seekers of knowledge andwisdom also come to Swami. A few years ago a scholarly lady started coming to Him. Shehad mastery over several languages and she could translate any prose into poetry in notime. On hearing Swami’s glory, she came to Him. She had darshan. She was also blessedwith ’pädsparshan’ and ‘sambhashan’. Instantly she composed a poem on Baba and recitedit to Him. Swami lovingly expressed His joy.

After this incident, whenever this scholarly lady came for Swami’s darshan, shewould recite at least one poem to Swami and however busy He was, He would appreciateit. This almost become a routine. Slowly, a feeling of ego started developing in her mind.Once when she came for darshan, Swami initially ignored her. So, on her own, she wentup to Him and said, “Swami, recently I have composed a poem, let me recite it to You.”On hearing, this He said, “I don’t have time”, and walked on. The scholarly lady followedHim. After walking a distance Swami went to a shed where some women were cleaninggrains, pounding spices. While working they were also singing bhajans and devotionalsongs. On seeing Swami, they stopped singing. He asked them, “Why did you stop? Singlouder. God is standing right here in front of you, will you not sing His glory ?”Immediately the ladies started singing in a loud voice. Swami pulled up a chair, sat on itand got immersed in listening to the songs. This went on for about half an hour.

The scholarly lady was watching all this from a distance. She wondered, how Hecould listen to them for half an hour when He had told her that He had no time ! Her egowas deflated and she realised that Swami had taught her a much-needed lesson. LaterSwami asked the women to distribute the grains amongst themselves, gave thempadnamaskar and blessings, and left.

Whenever a festival is being celebrated at Prashanthi Nilayam, a Narayan seva isorganised and clothes are distributed. If any construction work is going on, Swami theSustainer of the poor serves food to the hard-working labourers with His own hands. It isa divine sight to see that seva ceremony quite beyond description.


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OM SRI SAI

MOORTI TRAYA SWAROOPÄYA NAMAH - (45)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the incarnationof the holy Trinity : Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

Once during Shivarathri Bhagawan Baba had gone to Ooty. While returning fromthere to Bangalore, He stopped the cars at a place and asked the devotees and the studentsto rest for a while.

Everyone sat around Swami. He turned to one of the students and said, “You stillhave some doubts about Me, isn’t it ? All right. You have a poloroid camera, take a photoand you will understand the reality.”

Swami posed for a photograph. He warned sternly that no one must come closeror try to touch Him. He lifted His robe slightly, pressed the big toe of His right foot andasked ‘that’ student to photograph Him. In a poloroid camera, the photograph developsinstantly, so everyone was very eager to see it. On seeing it, everyone was astonishedbecause in place of Swami, there was a picture of Lord Dattatreya with three heads andsix hands and all the three faces were of Swami. In the hands there were weapons,kamandalu and japamalas. In the background there was a cow. At the feet, there werefour dogs who represent the four Vedas. The big toe of Swami’s right foot was pressedand flowers of pale pink and lilac shade were strewn all around it.

Without uttering a single word, Swami revealed through the photograph that thethree characteristics of creation, maintenance and dissolution are present in Him and Heis the one and the same God Who creates, protects and dissolves the universe. Swami alsoexplained, why He did not allow anyone to come close to Him when the photograph wasbeing taken. He said that very powerful and effulgent waves were emitting from Hisbody at the time which could not have been withstood by anyone else. In the past too,there have been many such incidents.

There was a disciple of Brahma Chaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj fromMaharashtra. He was a professor of philosophy. Once in a vision Gondavalekar Maharajsaid to his disciple, “Sri Guru Dattatreya has incarnated in Puttaparthi. I feel that youshould definitely go there.”

In obedience to His Guru’s advice, the professor went to Puttaparthi. Swami calledhim for an interview. When he entered the interview room, Swami said, “Takepadnamaskar. You are in the divine abode of Sri Dattatreya.” On hearing this, the professorwas overwhelmed with joy.

Here is another incident. A family named ‘Risbud’ used to reside at Bangalore.The entire family were devotees of Swami. Once when a boy from the family was leavingfor Swami’s darshan, his mother Mrs Risbud stopped him. She hurriedly went to the altarroom in the house and brought back an idol of Sri Dattatreya. She gave the idol to her sonto get it blessed by Swami.

The boy reached Puttaparthi. When Swami called him for an interview the firstquestion He asked was, “Where is the idol given to you, by your mother? Take it out.”The boy took the idol out from his bag and gave it to Swami. Baba took it in His hands,blessed it and returned it to the boy.

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A poornavatar of Sri Dattatreya, Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot, hadtold his devotees at the time of taking samadhi, “Go to Shirdi. My brother resides there.”It meant that the poornavatar of Dattatreya was also present at Shirdi in the form of Sai.

In the Shirdi Sai arati, the composer Shri Madhavrao Adkar describes,

“Kaliyuga Avatär, Saguna Brahma Säkar,Avateerna Jhäläsi,

Swami Datta Digambar, Sai Digambar.”

‘Sai, from the formless Brahman (divinity) You have taken a form and haveincarnated on earth in Kaliyuga as the embodiment of Sri Datta Digambar.’

We are extremely fortunate that we have been blessed with the darshan of thissecond incarnation of Sai.


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DAY FOUR(SUNDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA


CHAPTERS 46 TO 60

MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI SAI

MUKTI PRADÄYA NAMAH - (46)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who confers liberation from ignorance, misery and death.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba confers liberation from ignorance, misery and death.Bhagawan Baba says, “Human birth is a very special opportunity to seek liberation fromthe cycle of birth and death. On no other level does this opportunity exist. This is veryrare and privileged and limited only to life on earth. Every being yearns for human birth,because only through human form one can realize God.”

Bhagawan Baba also says, “The human body is an instrument to realize divinity.To attain this, one must give up body attachment. In order to get liberation, one mustsurrender one’s mind to God. When God catches hold of the mind, all desires end andonce that happens, the mind is dissolved and man is liberated. This condition is called‘Manolaya or Mano Näshan‘ which means, the mind is annihilated and merges with itstrue entity.”

To make us understand this, Swami gives the example of Gautam Buddha. Hesays, “Buddha contemplated very deeply and realized that ultimately it is the mind thatobstructs the progress in the process of Self-Realization. After this He became ‘Amanaska’,which means He removed all the barriers from the mind and attained ‘Nirvana’ – SelfRealization.”

Here is a very touching story of a little girl who attained liberation by the grace ofBhagawan Baba.

Many years ago, once Swami was leaving to go to the banks of the Chitravati,along with some devotees. A six year old girl came there. She had noticed that Swamiwas walking barefeet, so she had brought a pair of sandals with her. She went up toSwami and requested Him to wear the sandals. This gesture of the little girl, pleased Himimmensely. He called her closer and said to her, “Ask whatever you want.” Everyonewas taken aback on hearing her demand, for she said, “Swami, I want to merge at Yourdivine lotus feet.” She was told to ask for something else, but she kept insisting on thesame thing. Finally her wish was fulfilled. She suffered from fever for just two days andher soul merged in Swami. The compassionate Swami fulfilled her wish and conferredliberation.

There is another story about Mr and Mrs Shankar Narayan of Kerala. Both of themhad immense devotion for Swami. When Baba visited Kerala in 1959-60, He was pleasedwith their devotion and said, “Mrs Shankar Narayan’s devotion is great.” In 1991, shepassed away quite suddenly. Her daughter, who is a doctor, was mourning her mother’sdeath and had only one question in her mind, “Where has mother gone ? How is she ?”Immediately vibhuti and nectar started dripping from the photographs in her mother’spooja room. It was as if Swami replied, saying, “Don’t worry; your mother is with Menow. Her life is fulfilled.”


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OM SRI SAI

KALUSHA VIDURÄYA NAMAH - (47)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who removes the faults and blemishes in all of us.

When Bhagawan draws His devotees closer to Him, He removes their faults andweaknesses. This enables the devotees to carry out their duties in the right manner.

Can our faults remain hidden from Bhagawan Baba? Right from His childhood,He was very particular that everyone should stay away from bad habits. Here is a storythat highlights this aspect.

Swami was just eight years old at the time. A well-known person living inPuttaparthi had a bad habit of collecting friends and gossiping with them all day long.Sathyanarayana noticed this fault and He also knew its bad effects; the person indulgingin gossip himself becomes idle and makes others idle too.

Little Sathya found a remedy for this. He composed a song and taught it to Hisfriends. When this group of people were sitting around and indulging in gossip, thechildren would go in their vicinity and sing the song. The song conveyed to the listeners:

‘Oh! Elderly people,Your behaviour is not ethical.If you don’t follow righteousness,Your friends will hate you,They will leave you,and may even beat you’....After hearing the song, the main culprit became uneasy but by and by, all of them

grasped the truth behind it and improved their ways. Sathya composed many similarpoems and skits in which He highlighted the defects prevailing in society. One of thepopular skits composed by little Sathyam was called ‘Cheppinastu Chestara’ which means, ‘Should we not behave and do the way we talk ?”

Here is an interesting story from the Shirdi avatar. In 1911, a young man namedVamanbhai Patel went to Shirdi for Sainath’s darshan and wished to become worthy ofHis grace. Very lovingly Sainath addressed him as ‘Babu’ and other devotees also startedcalling him by the same name. Due to his young age and growing body, Babu could notcontrol his hunger. Once, due to uncontrollable hunger pangs, he kept eating sugar allday long, out of a sack of sugar. To help him overcome this bad habit, the OmniscientSainath told him a story.

Sai said, “There was a person who was staying with Me. He was suffering fromtuberculosis. One morning, I woke him up very early, gave him a handful of sugar to eatand locked him up in a room. He was thirsty so he caused a big uproar to come out of theroom but according to My instructions nobody helped him. Finally he was allowed tocome out in the afternoon and was given some food. He was cured in this manner. if onefeels like eating sugar, one should eat, just a little bit.” Babu realized his mistake and gaveup his addiction for eating sugar.

Once this same Babu, uncontrollably hungry, felt like eating laddus. So he went toan innkeeper named Vasudeo. Sainath saw him from afar and shouted, “You are goingthere to eat, but you will die!” But Babu ignored His warning, proceeded to the inn andate three laddus made out of gram flour. The result was that, as per Sainath’s prediction,the next morning Babu suffered from severe stomach ache and diarrhoea and startedfeeling uneasy. Finally, in the afternoon, Sainath sent him a piece of sweet ‘barfi’ as prasadand his health improved. By and by with the help of Sainath’s loving guidance he wasable to overcome his addiction to overeating .


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OM SRI SAI

KARUNA AKÄRÄYA NAMAH - (48)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is compassionate.

One of the qualities of divine incarnations is ‘karuna’. They are supremelycompassionate and respond to a devotee’s call, shower compassion on him and granthim bliss.

The present Sri Sathya Sai avatar is Himself the source of all-compassion and Hisdevotees have always experienced this grace.

Here is a story from Chennai, which tells us how compassionate Swami is. A fewyears ago, a manufacturing unit at Chennai, signed a contract with a Korean firm tomanufacture and supply railway wagons. The wagons had to be delivered in a stipulatedtime-frame. But the non co-operation of the factory workers resulted in a delay.

As the last day for the stipulated time frame neared, a Korean officer arrived inChennai and booked a cargo ship to carry the consignment. But the wagons were notready. Since it was not going to be possible to execute the contract on time, the executivein charge was very worried. He was an ardent Sai devotee so he started praying to Swamifervently. The stress caused him to fall ill, but somehow he managed to write a letter toBhagawan Baba, praying to Him for His compassion and gave the letter to a subordinateofficer to personally give it to Baba.

At the time, Swami was staying in a bungalow at Anantpur. When the officerreached there, with the letter in hand, he saw Swami coming out from the main door.Baba was walking through the crowd, and blessing the devotees. As He walked on, Hekept tying knots in the handkerchief in His hand. Swami came near the officer and onseeing the letter in his hand said, “Why are your superiors worried ? The ship will reachonly when the wagons are ready and all their problems will be solved.” As He was sayingthis, He pulled two corners of the knotted handkerchief and all the knots opened up. Fora few moments, He looked at the sky, moved His finger as if writing something in the air,and walked away.

At that very moment, a storm appeared in the sea and the ship was unable to reachChennai as per the schedule. The ship was also damaged in the storm and it neededrepairs. To top it all, when it finally arrived near the port, due to heavy traffic there was afurther delay of four days before it could be anchored at port. In this manner, the shipreached Chennai after a delay of one month. By this time the wagons were ready. OnlySwami’s compassion had saved the devotee from disgrace ....

The other incident is about Smt Sharadamma. Once Swami said to her, “I am goingto get you married to Karunyananda.” All those who were present there, laughed.Sharadamma was old and Karunyananda was an aged sanyasi ! But when she pondereddeeply over Swami’s statement, she realized the inner significance. He meant to tell her,“I am an Ocean of karunä (compassion) and I want you to merge in Me.”


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OM SRI SAI

SARVA ÄDHÄRÄYA NAMAH - (49)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the support of all.

There is a poem in Marathi which conveys, ‘One who is an orphan in this worldhas God by his side. Even the sky which is without a support, He bears its weight....’

The feeling expressed through this verse is verily true because God is the supportof all. He supports all those who seek refuge in Him. The most enlightening example isthat of Bhagawan Sri Krishna, Who lifted the Govardhan mountain to save the people ofGokul. Lord Indra’s wrath caused torrential rains and when the cowherds of Gokul cameto Sri Krishna for His help to save themselves and their cattle, He lifted the Govardhanmountain on the tip of His little finger and protected them all. In fact, He did not evenwant to take any credit for this glorious act, so He asked all of them to support themountain, with their sticks. So, when God supports His devotees, He does not even takeany credit for it....

There are so many devotees all over the world, who are leading their life in comfortonly due to the ‘support’ of Sri Sathya Sai. Here is a story which illustrates this fact.

In 1966, a couple with two children were living in Mumbai. Their life was besetwith difficulties. The wife was born in a devout family. But after marriage things took adifferent turn. She had to face a very difficult life. Although her husband was earningenough, his entire income was spent on his siblings. There was no saving. To add to thewoes, the husband developed a cyst on his neck. In no time it got enlarged and turnedinto an abscess. When they showed it to a doctor, he suspected it to be cancer. He askedthe lady to clean it with spirit. On doing that, the cyst burst and started oozing. She appliedShirdi Sai’s udi on the wound, thinking it to be the best remedy. Due to stress, the husband’shealth deteriorated further and he suffered a heart attack. In the meanwhile, somebodytold the wife that Shirdi Sai had reincarnated as Sri Sathya Sai and resided at Puttaparthiin Andhra Pradesh. The wife persuaded the husband to go there. He agreed and thecouple left for Puttaparthi.

The day after they reached Puttaparthi, Swami called them for an interview. Duringthe interview Baba asked the gentleman to take off his shirt and vest. Then Swamimaterialized vibhuti. With one hand He rubbed it on the person’s chest and with theother hand rubbed it on the cyst. Swami laughed and said, “Who says you have cancer ora heart attack ? You are completely alright.” The moment they heard this, the coupleburst into tears. On reaching Mumbai they met the doctor. He was greatly surprised onseeing that the patient had recovered so dramatically!

After that, the couple started visiting Puttaparthi at least once a year. But theirfinancial condition was still not very stable. One year, they did not even have enoughmoney to travel to Puttaparthi. They thought of an idea ! They sold old newspapers thathad piled up since two years and managed to procure enough funds to buy two returntickets. They left for Swami’s darshan. This time also Swami blessed them with aninterview. While He was giving instructions, Swami suddenly raised His right hand,stretched it for a moment and closed His fist. As He opened His palm, a photograph hadmanifested in it. Swami gave it to the husband and said, “Always carry this photo in yourpocket. Don’t ever separate it from your body.” Then He turned to the wife and said,

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“Yours is a devout family, you are humble and patient by nature. I am very pleased withyou. I bless you with Akhand Saubhagya.” (This is considered to be the highest boon fora Hindu married woman. It means that her husband will have a very long life.)

After becoming recipients of Swami’s grace and blessings, the couple returned toMumbai and got into their usual routine. As per Swami’s instructions, the husband startedcarrying His photo in the pocket, all the time. One day, the gentleman met with a seriousaccident. He had a head injury and started bleeding profusely. Somebody took him to ahospital; fortunately the wound only needed suturing. The family was informed. Everyonewas in a state of shock. But the wife was calm and firm. Peacefully, she applied Swami’svibhuti on her husband’s forehead. She was mentally only dwelling upon His blessing of‘Akhand Saubhagya.’

After the husband’s health improved slightly, they left for Swami’s darshan. Butthe husband had developed a feeling of guilt. As they reached Puttaparthi, Swamiimmediately called them in and enquired after their well-being. But the gentleman couldnot face Swami. He stood with his head bent. Swami held his chin and lifted his head andasked, “Are you afraid because you have lost the photo ? Did you lose it when you metwith the accident ? That’s what you think, isn’t it ? I had given it to you for your protection,and it is not lost; here it has come back to Me after having saved you !” Swami opened Hisfist....

And the same photograph was there on His palm....


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OM SRI SAI

SARVA HRIDAYA VÄSINÉ NAMAH - (50)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who resides in the hearts of all.

Swami says, “I dwell in the hearts of all but some don’t realize it.” Swami also citesthe reason for this. He says, “God’s image is in your heart. If you are unable to see it,understand that your heart is covered with the dust of desires and indiscipline. Wipe itthrough knowledge, service and devotion and you will be able to realize your owndivinity.”

This is an incident from the life of Dr. R. S. Padmanabhan. In 1973, Swami askedhim to travel to USA for his son’s admission. When the doctor arrived at Puttaparthi toseek His blessings, Baba materialized a topaz ring for him. At that time Col. Joga Rao whowas also present there asked Him, “Swami, can one see Your image in this ring ?” Babaanswered, “My image may or may not be there, but I will be in his heart and will lookafter him.” Saying so, Swami blew on the ring thrice and His image appeared on it.

With Bhagawan’s blessings, Dr. Padmanabhan left. At first he disembarked at Bonnand visited a dental hospital there. He had to travel to Dusseldorf to take the onwardflight. When he arrived at Bonn airport, he was told that his flight to Dusseldorf wascancelled. He didn’t know what to do because he was to reach Amsterdam from Dusseldorfand two aged friends of his who were Sai devotees, were waiting for him at Amsterdam.Just then, the airport officer came up to him and said, “Dusseldorf is about 110 kilometersaway. If you take a taxi, you may be able to reach in time to catch the onward flight.”Saying so, the officer hailed a cab and Dr. Padmanabhan travelled in it to Dusseldorf. Ashe reached the airport and got off the cab, a porter dressed in a white uniform came up tohim and lifted his baggage. He carried it all the way through. After taking his seat, thedoctor started looking for the porter in order to pay him, but he was already gone. Theonward journey was smooth and after completing the task of his son’s admission, hereturned to India.

On his return, he went to Brindavan ashram to seek Swami’s darshan. Bhagawanenquired after his trip. The doctor said, “It was fine.” Swami commented, “Except for thatincident at Dusseldorf. I had to carry your baggage from the taxi to the aeroplane, andyou did not even thank Me.”

It was then that Dr. Padmanabhan remembered Swami’s words, “I will be in hisheart and look after him...”


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OM SRI SAI

PUNYA PHALA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (51)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the bestower of the fruits of merit.

In the twelfth Shloka of the Vth chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, the Lord has declared,

Yuktah Karma Phalam TyaktwäShäntim Äpnoti Naishtikeem

Ayuktaha Käma KärénaPhalé Sakto Nibhadyaté.

‘The united one (the well-poised) having abandoned the fruit of action, attainsEternal Peace; the non-united (the unsteady or unbalanced), impelled by desire andattached to the fruit is bound.’

The inner significance of this verse is : a karmayogi (one who pursues the path ofaction) offers the fruits of action to God and attains Eternal Peace. And a person devoid ofyoga has unending desires and is attached to the fruit. So he gets bound.

Even so, whatever merit the devotee earns by offering the fruit of action to God,the Almightly confers the reward on the devotee.

When Swami Amrutananda first met Bhagawan Baba, he was 85 years old. Onseeing him Bhagawan uttered, “Come Amrutam !” Swami Amrutananda’s guru Sri RamanMaharshi alone used to call him in that loving way. Bhagawan not only blessedAmrutananda but also asked him about his participation in the ‘Ganesh Yaag’ at the ageof seven. On hearing this Amrutananda said, “I was only a seven year old child then.How can I get a reward for that ?” Bhagawan then blessed him with an effulgent darshanof Sri Ganesha in Himself and rewarded Swami Amrutananda for the merit earned.Bhagawan also cured him of asthma which Amrutananda had contracted due to wrongpractice of yoga.

The other example is that of Shri Pandurang Dixit. When he was in his mother’swomb, Shirdi Sainath, had bestowed blessings on him. Later when Dixit heard that Sainathhad reincarnated as Sri Sathya Sai, he along with his family went for Swami’s darshan.He secured Bhagawan’s grace through his melodious voice. Wherever Swami asked himto go, he travelled there and spread the fragrance of Sai’s glory. He went all overMaharashtra and enchanted people through Naam Sankirtan, by singing beautiful,melodious Sai bhajans. Whatever merit he accumulated, Swami granted him the reward.Whenever any calamity struck the Dixit family, Swami showered His grace and protectedthem, thereby making their life joyous and peaceful.


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OM SRI SAI

SARVA PÄPA KSHAYA KARÄYA NAMAH - (52)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the destroyer of sins.

To redeem a devotee from sin is to liberate him from the suffering due to pastkarma. Only incarnations have the power to make this possible.

While describing Bhagawan Baba it is said, ‘Darshanam paap nashanam’ – just byHis darshan alone, the devotees get absolved of their sins. Bhagawan Baba’s darshaninspires the devotees to shed their bad qualities and experience God’s presence in theirpurified hearts. Thereby they get liberated from their suffering due to past karma.

A story from the life of Shirdi Sai. A young man named Ishwarlal came for Sainath’sdarshan from Mumbai. At the time, the Ramnavmi festival was being celebrated. Heparticipated in it and served Sainath according to his capacity. All of a sudden he contractedcholera and got bed-ridden. He was staying at the house of a lady named Radhakrishnamai.The lady never came for Sainath’s darshan, nor did she ever visit the Dwarakamayi. Butshe had attained such oneness with Sainath that whatever He spoke in the Dwarakamayi,she could know and understand it while sitting in her house.

When Ishwarlal started gasping for breath, Radhakrishnamai realised that his endwas drawing near. She asked him, “Have you performed any good deeds to earn merit ?”He barely managed to say “No” and passed away. At this Sainath said, “He has secureda good place in the other realm.” Although he did not perform any meritorious deedthroughout his life, he offered his seva at Sainath’s feet during his last few days, so thecompassionate Sainath granted him the reward by absolving him of his sins (paapanaasham) and granted liberation.

Long ago, at Puttaparthi a woman once offered poisoned ‘vadas’ (a type of snack)to Bhagawan Baba. Very lovingly Swami ate the vadas, although He knew they werepoisoned. The woman followed Him to see the effects. Baba pressed His stomach and thevadas came out of His mouth, whole, as they were served to Him. On seeing this, thewoman repented and fell at Swami’s feet. With an open heart Swami forgave her andinspired her to tread the path of devotion. He absolved her of her sins and grantedsalvation.


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OM SRI SAI

SARVA ROGA NIVÄRINÉ NAMAH - (53)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who removes all the diseases.

Shri Shyam Juwale is the name of one, among the countless devotees of Swami.On May 27th 1963, for the first time he visited Whitefield and was blessed triplefold withdarshan, padsparshan & sambhashan.

After this, on many occasions he visited Puttaparthi and Whitefield for Swami’sdarshan. Every time Swami talked to him, gave him guidance and granted manyinterviews. With Swami’s blessings, Mr Juwale started the first study circle in Maharashtra.

In his life’s journey, many a time he underwent physical suffering, but he completelysurrendered his life’s care to Swami and remained unfazed.

In a short time after he became a Sai devotee, Shyambhau suffered from excema (askin disease) on his leg. He consulted a doctor in Mumbai and started treatment. Butinstead of getting cured, the excema started spreading. It came to a point that he wasunable to even walk properly. During that period, he yearned for Swami’s darshan andwent to Puttaparthi along with his family. In those days it was not possible to know aboutSwami’s whereabouts from long distances or via telephone. So when the Juwale familyreached Puttaparthi and found that Swami was not there, Mrs Juwale could not controlher tears...

On the next day, some devotees informed them about a spring of water nearby.The water from the spring collected in a pool and a basin was built around it. It wasknown to be ‘holy water’and it cured many diseases. Mrs Juwale insisted that they visitthe spot.

So the family reached there. The water basin was surrounded by beautiful idolsand there was an enchanting garden of tulsi plants around it. A lot of people were partakingthe holy water, some were collecting it in bottles, yet the level of water remained constant.Mr Juwale drank some of it, applied some on his leg and they returned to the ashram.Two days passed, but no effect could be seen on the affected leg. Maybe, this was because,Swami’s grace had to directly fall upon this devotee to further strengthen and confirm hisfaith. On the third day, suddenly Swami returned and all the activities were resumed.The very next day, the family were called for an interview. On entering the room, theywere blessed with padnamaskar; Swami materialized vibhuti, turned to Mr Juwale andsaid, “You are suffering from excema on your leg, isn’t it?” The portion of the leg that hadcontracted the disease was not visible as it was covered by the trousers. But can anythingremain hidden from our beloved Swami?

Swami continued, “Don’t worry. For seven days apply ‘ganji’on it.” Shyambhauwas confused, he did not know what ‘ganji’ meant! The Omniscient Swami answered ,“The excess water that we throw out while cooking rice is ganji” and while saying soSwami also enacted it with His hands.

The family reached Mumbai with Swami’s blessing. As per His instruction ,Shyambhau applied the ganji water on the infected area for seven days. On the eighthday, there was no trace of the disease; the excema had disappeared. Not even a spot or amark could be seen and the leg was as fine as before.

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The second incident also is from Mr Juwale’s life. A few years later, Mr Juwalerealized that some cysts had developed behind his ear. Soon they began to grow in sizeand number. He did not suffer from any earache, but he felt some heaviness. If any part ofthe body develops any growth, a person’s mind gets burdened with worry. Mr. Juwalewas no exception. So he consulted a doctor, who suggested that he should show it to anENT surgeon. Accordingly, Shyambhau met a well known ENT specialist in Mumbai.The doctor examined the cysts and asked him to get some tests done. On seeing the reportsthe doctor said, “Surgery is the only remedy. If not immediately, you must get it done ina month’s time, otherwise the cysts will go on increasing.“

Prior to the doctor’s visit, Mr Juwale had booked railway tickets for Puttaparthi.So he decided to undergo surgery only on their return from Puttaparthi. Within two daysafter reaching there, Swami called them for an interview. He enquired after the family.He also asked, “How is ‘study circle’? In what way are you conducting it?” Swami seemedpleased with his answers. Suddenly, as He was talking, He materialized vibhuti. In orderto receive it, Mr Juwale stretched his palm, but Swami ignored it, walked two steps forwardand rubbed it behind Shyambhau’s ears with His own hands. (It was only then, that MrJuwale remembered about the cysts; he had forgotten about it completely.) Swami pattedhim on his back and asked him to return home.

When Shyambhau returned to Mumbai, he realized that there was no sign of thecysts. Yet he wanted to be sure, so he went to see the specialist. The doctor too could notsee the cysts. Once again all the tests were done. On seeing the reports the doctor said,“Maybe the earlier reports were wrong.”

How could the doctor have known that the report was not incorrect, but that thepatient had been healed by the Doctor of doctors, the Supreme Healer ‘Dhanwantari’who had made the cysts disappear in a moment !

Thousands of devotees from all over the world have experienced this phenomenonwhere they have been healed mentally and physically, just by Swami’s divine will!


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OM SRI SAI

SARVA BÄDHÄ HARÄYA NAMAH - (54)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who takes away all the sufferings.

God’s heart is softer than butter. It melts at the devotee’s suffering and His gracestarts flowing abundantly. Only His grace can relieve the devotee of his agony. Many atime, in order to free him, God has taken on His devotee’s suffering upon His own physicalbody, the body which He has assumed for the sake of the devotees.

Here is a story from Sai’s Shirdi incarnation. There was a devotee of Sai Maharajby the name Dadasaheb Khaparde. In January 1912 while he and his wife were residing atShirdi, all of a sudden his son suffered from high fever. It was so high that the boy startedwrithing in agony; so the mother’s mind became restless. One evening, when Sainath setout on His usual evening round, the boy’s mother Mrs Laxmibai Khaparde ran to Sainathand fell at His feet. Wailing aloud, she narrated everything to Sai. In this difficult situationSainath comforted her saying, “Think that the sky is overcast. There will be a cloudburstand the sky will be cleared as before. When such is the case, why be afraid?”

Saying so, He lifted His robe and after showing everyone present there, the odorousglands as large as hen’s eggs that had erupted all over His body said, “See! This is how Ihave to take your suffering upon Myself.”

On returning home, Laxmibai found out that her son’s fever had abated. Godremoves not only physical, but also mental suffering and ordains the devotee’s worldlyas well as spiritual progress.

A long time ago, Swami had once gone to Delhi to give darshan to His devoteesthere. A huge crowd had gathered at the venue where Swami was to give darshan. Amongthem were many wealthy personalities too. The chauffeur of one of these persons wascurious to know whose darshan his ‘Saheb’ had gone for, so he parked the car and reachedthe venue. But the crowd was so large that he got Swami’s darshan only from afar and itwas not very clear. As he was looking at Swami, he started thinking about the mountainof physical sufferings and financial difficulties that he was overburdened with and thought,‘If I could got closer to ‘this Baba’, at least I would have been able to tell Him about mydifficulties.’ But he was destined to get the darshan only from afar, so he had to returnback without making a mention of his problems to Baba.

A few years passed. Whatever problems the chauffeur had, they dissolved on theirown. The mountains of difficulties disappeared. After becoming free from worry andfear, he heard from somebody about Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and he reachedPrashanthi Nilayam along with his family. As he sat in darshan lines, Swami selected himfor an interview. During the interview Baba said to him, “We have met once earlier, longtime ago. Your prayer reached Me.” On hearing this, he remembered the incident in Delhiwhere he had got Swami’s darshan from afar and he had been disappointed because hewas unable to convey his problems to Swami. But from what Baba told him now, he wasconvinced that Swami is God because although at the time he did not even get a closedarshan or a chance to talk to Swami, He knew about his suffering. Also, He had turnedHis gracious gaze on the chauffeur and removed all his difficulties!

God alone is closest to us because He is the indweller in everyone’s heart. Adevotee’s earnest plea melts His heart and He takes care of every detail in the devotee’slife…


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OM SRI SAI

ANANT NUTA KARTRUNÉ NAMAH - (55)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the Creator and who is praised endlessly.

Bhagawan Vishnu has assured Narada, ‘Madbhakthä Yatra Gäyanti Tatra TishthämiNärada.’

‘Narada, wherever My devotees sing My glory, I am always present there.’

Swami says, “I created this world for My own joy. Mountains rose up, rivers startedflowing. Earth and sky, oceans and water bodies were formed. The sun, moon and desertssprang up. Then the living beings were created. Man was given the first place and Myknowledge was placed in his mind.”

Since the knowledge about God was already placed in the human mind, man startedsinging His glory from that very moment. He realized that by singing God’s glory, he canplease Him. According to the saying, ‘Devänäm Priya Stuti’, God is praised endlessly andit is going to remain so forever, eternally.

In ‘bhaktimarga’ there are nine forms of devotion. Among these the second form is‘keertanam’, singing God’s glory. The devotees knew that through keertanam one canwin God’s grace, in order to cross this ocean of life easily, so keertanam acquired thesecond place in ‘Nava Vidha Bhakti.’

In order to make the devotees understand the importance of singing God’s glory,Swami established the ‘Pandhari bhajan group’ in His childhood itself. As a young boy,little Sathya used to collect children of similar age group and teach them bhajans describingthe glory of various names of God. This Pandhari bhajan group would carry cymbals inhand, wear jingles in their feet and go all over Puttaparthi singing bhajans. Due to this,not just in Puttaparthi alone, but in the surrounding villages also, devotion sprang up inthe hearts of elders. The group was invited to sing bhajans in several villages and whereverthey performed, the villages were protected from spread of epidemics and people starteddeveloping faith in the power of keertanam.

Swami has given us this easiest path of devotion – ‘Naam Smaran and NaamSankirtan.’ Millions of Sai devotees from all over the world are singing God’s glory andenjoying the bliss derived from it.

Here is an incident from Mumbai which shows that wherever God’s glory is sung,He is present. A couple who were devotees of Swami, used to visit various places toattend Sai bhajans. They felt that they should have a bhajan at their home. So, on GoodFriday, since it was a holiday, they planned a bhajan. Everyone was invited. With greatenthusiasm they made all the arrangements for bhajan and ‘mahaprasad’. In the evening,as the bhajan started, suddenly the garland on Swami’s photograph started swinging. Asthe bhajan picked up momentum, it started swinging faster. In the photograph, one couldsee Swami standing on the ground in front of Prashanthi Mandir. All of a sudden a littlegirl shouted, “Swami!” When her mother asked her as to what happened, she said, “See,Swami is standing in front of me.” On asking where He was, she pointed to the front andsaid that He had come out from the photograph on which the garland was swinging andwas standing there. Everyone was wonder-struck. As long as the girl could see Swami,the garland on the photograph kept swinging. When He vanished, it stopped swinging...

Sage Narada says “When one contemplates on God’s name incessantly, an unendingstream of devotion pours forth and fills the devotee’s heart with bliss. Due to this heforgets body consciousness and completely gets immersed in divine love.”


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OM SRI SAI

ÄDI PURUSHÄYA NAMAH - (56)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the primeval Purusha, the Creator Himself.

‘Adi Purusha’ is the One who was there before, is present now and will be there inthe future also. He is the Purusha, the Eternal Charioteer who rides the chariot of thebody.

The Bhagavad Gita tells us,

Ajopi SannavyayätmäBhootänämeeshwaropi San,Prakritim SwämadhishtäyaSambhavämyätmamäyayä

(Chapter IV, Sh : 6)

‘Though I am unborn and am of imperishable nature and though I am the Lord ofall beings, yet ruling over My own nature, I take birth through My own MAYA.’

The present Sri Sathya Sai avatar is ‘Adi Purusha’ and He has incarnated in humanform by His own will.

During the Srikrishna avatär, there were some people who were unable tounderstand His divine nature and thinking of Him as a mere human, disobeyed anddisregarded Him. In this day and age too there are the ignorant who do not understandBhagawan Baba’s divinity and are the losers.

A number of yogis and devotees who are seekers of knowledge and wisdom haveexperienced that Sri Sathya Sai is Adi Purusha. When Bhagawan Baba was at Hrishikeshin the ashram of Swami Shivananda, He saved a yogi from drowning in the river nearVashishtha caves. The yogi had invoked God and his plea reached Bhagawan Baba.Bhagawan responded to his prayer and saved his life. This incident illustrates thatBhagawan Baba is Adi Purusha.

Being Adi Purusha, He remembers the various births of His devotees during thetimes of every incarnation. This story is from the life of Shirdi Sai avatar. Mrs LaxmiGanesh Khaparde was an ardent devotee of Sainath. He especially loved her and alwaysshowered His grace upon her. When she offered food to Him as ‘naivedya’, He would eatit immediately. Once when Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) asked Him about it, He said,“In one of her earlier births she was a fat cow who yielded lots of milk. Then for sometime she went missing. Later she was born in a Kshatriya family and then she was amerchant’s wife. After this she was born in a Brahmin family. I am seeing her now after along time, so let me enjoy eating some food which she has cooked with so much love andlet her also get the satisfaction.”

May the Adi Purusha Sainath bless us too with similar happiness.


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OM SRI SAI

ÄDI SHAKTAYÉ NAMAH - (57)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the primeval Cosmic energy – the Shakti aspect of the Creator.

Sri Sathya Sai is the Divine Mother and is the Primeval Cosmic Energy – the Shaktiaspect of the Adi Purusha. According to the boon conferred on Sage Bharadwaj, LordShiva decided to incarnate thrice during Kaliyuga; accordingly Shirdi Sai was Shiva avatar,Parthi Sai is Shiva-Shakti avatar and Prema Sai will be Shakti avatar.

Since Bhagawan Baba is Shiva-Shakti incarnate, the Source of all power, the AdiShakti dwells in Him. He has given darshan to several devotees as Adi Shakti.

In 1940, Swami declared His avatarhood. Thereafter during the Navarathri festival,the devotees used to worship Him everyday and in the evenings they used to take Him ina procession, seated in a decorated palanquin. During this time He gave darshan to severaldevotees in the form of ‘Adi Shakti’. The devotees used to be blessed with darshan inmany forms of the Devimaa, like Jaganmohini, Tripurasundari, Durgamata, Minaxi ofMadurai, Vishälaxi of Kashi and Kamakshi of Kanchi.

Later this festival changed its form and Swami blessed the lady devotees with theopportunity of chanting the Lalita Ashottara Shatanämävali and Kumkum archana. From1961, Swami started organizing ‘Sri Veda Purusha Saptah Gyan Yagna Mahotsava’. Duringthis week long celebration there was Veda chanting, Ati Rudra Yaag, Japa Homa, SriChakra Pooja, Sahastra Linga Pooja, reading of Srimad Ramayana, and Sri Devi Bhagvad.So the ever compassionate Adi-Shakti- roopini Swami started a Gyan Yagna along withthe worship of Dashbhuja Dharini Sri Durga Devi and blessed everyone.

Since Adi Shakti is the form of Divine Mother, She is full of love and compassiontowards Her devotees, and instantly rushes to their aid. Here is an enlightening example.

After Prashanthi Nilayam was established, in one instance, while talking to Hisdevotees, Swami suddenly stated twisting and turning His body and it became stiff likewood. On seeing Him that way, the devotees were shocked and felt very anxious. Swamiwas in that condition for about 10 minutes. Then, He awakened slowly and with a softsmile, the Saimata said, “A lady devotee of Mine in America was suffering from labourpains. In order to free her, I had to rush there. I blessed her and the baby daughter, andreturned back.” A few months later, this lady came for Swami’s darshan, and this incidentwas confirmed.

On 20th October 1965, during the inaugural function of ‘Prashanthi VidwanMahasabha’, Swami announced that He was Adi Shakti. He said, “Earlier Devi Bhavanihad blessed Raja Shivaji with a sword and ordered him to protect the Hindus. Today thisShiva Shakti is giving these pundits the weapon of fortitude and I order them to go out inthe world to carry out the mission of the revival and upliftment of righteousness.”


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OM SRI SAI

APAROOPA SHAKTINÉ NAMAH - (58)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who has delightful and wondrous powers

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is Shiva-Shakti incarnate. Before taking human form,He had given auspicious indications about His advent. After birth and right from Hischildhood, He has performed many miracles. The special qualities of ‘sakshatkar’(realization), ‘chamatkar’ (miracles) and ‘paropkar’ (benevolence) which are present indivine incarnations have been prominently seen in Swami from His childhood.

The seven special characteristics which can be seen only in an avatar are – prosperity,knowledge, non-attachment, glory, creation, maintenance and dissolution and all thesecan be seen embodied in Bhagawan Baba.

By His sankalpa (divine will) He has performed many miracles which are beyondthe scope of science. Be it making a dead person come alive or being present in two placesat the same time! These things are possible only through Swami’s divine will. Here aretwo examples which give a glimpse of His divine qualities.

Once Swami’s ardent devotee Shri Pandurang Dixit had gone to Puttaparthi alongwith his family, during Dussera celebrations. His daughter Jyotsna used to participate inthe morning nagar-sankirtan with a lot of zeal. One morning, when some of her friendscame to wake her up, she said, “Today I had a wonderful dream. In that dream, Swamimaterialized a crystal japamala and put it around my neck.” The same morning Swamicalled the Dixit family for an interview. He materialized a crystal japamala exactly likethe one shown in the dream, gave it to Jyotsna and said, “Your dream has come true.”

From this incident we can clearly understand that Swami controls our lives notonly in the waking state but also in the dream states of our mind and is a divine incarnationwith wondrous powers.

The other example is that of Mr Walter Cowan. He suffered a massive heart attackand was moved to a hospital in Madras (now Chennai) immediately, by Mrs Elsie Cowan,with the help of Mrs Ratanlal and others. On arrival, the doctors declared him dead. Hisnose and ears were blocked with cotton wool, the body was covered and was transferredto another part of the hospital. It was the morning of 25th December 1971. Swami respondedto Mrs Cowan’s prayers and ‘went’ to the hospital and restored him to life. Mr Cowanwho was declared dead by the doctors was resurrected. But at that time, physically, Swamiwas giving a discourse to a gathering of devotees somewhere else. When Mr Cowen wasfound to be alive, the doctors conducted some tests on him. At that time he was not onlyfound to be in perfect health but there was also no trace of the severe diabetes or anyother illness from which he had been suffering earlier. So, Swami not only blessed himwith rebirth, but He awarded him a new life, free from all diseases, which disappearedwith the ‘death’. All this happened only due to the wondrous miraculous power of Swami’ssankalpa.


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OM SRI SAI

AVYAKTA ROOPINÉ NAMAH - (59)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the form of the Supreme unmanifest Brahman.Swami says, “I have taken birth by My own will. I chose My mother. I also

proclaimed My avatarhood Myself. I took a name and a form and came here from theunmanifest, in order that man should attain divinity.”

The present avatar of Bhagawan Baba is the Ominipresent One, Who encompassesthis entire universe. He has taken human form only to redeem mankind. It is the experienceof innumerable devotees that whichever name and form of God they may pray to, theirprayer reaches Bhagawan Baba.

Here are two examples about the unseen divine power of Sai. One is from theShirdi avatar and the other one from the Parthi avatar.

A student by the name Vamanbhai Patel went to Shirdi for Sainath’s darshan. Once,when he was sitting on the steps of Dwarakamayi, Sainath sent him a piece of sugarcandy, through someone. Moments after he ate it, he received a letter from Mumbai,written by his father. The father informed him that he had passed in the S.S.C. examination.He was very happy and thought of offering some sweets to Sainath. So in the evening, hewent to an innkeeper, got a few laddus, put them in a box and brought them to Sainath.On seeing him Sainath exclaimed, “Oh! you have come here with laddus ! But on the way,you did not bother about anybody and now you have come here with the box !” InitiallyVamanbhai did not understand the meaning of this statement. But later, he rememberedthat while coming to Sainath, a hungry dog had been following him; Vamanbhai however,did not give him a laddu and later offered the box to Baba. How will the Omnipresent Saiapprove of this, who is concerned about the welfare of all...

The other story is from the village of Shetfale in Sangli District. There is a ladynamed Mrs Kamal Dixit, from an ordinary middle-class background, living there. Shegets Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s darshan daily in her house at midnight ! SometimesHe plays the flute, sometimes imparts instructions and sometimes He teaches bhajans.This has been going on continuously for many years. Once she kept awake all night butSwami did not come, so Mrs Dixit was very dejected. Next night when He came, sheasked Him the reason for not coming the earlier night. Swami said, “Of course I had comehere last night; I even ate the naivedya!” Kamal Dixit was surprised. Swami answered,“Last night while you were waiting for Me, a bumble bee came into the house. It touchedthe tea from the tea cup and flew away. Who was it ? That was Myself!”

Later by coincidence, Mrs Sarla Joshi from Pune heard about Mrs Kamal Dixit.Mrs Joshi personally visited the Shetfale village and spent eight days and nights with MrsDixit. In fact, for a person like Sarlatai, who was used to the comforts of city life, it wasreal penance to spend eight days in a village where electric supply was erratic and even afan was not available. However due to her intense devotion for Swami, she stayed therevery happily and published the life story of Mrs Kamal Dixit of Shetfale village in a Hindibook titled ‘Sai Charan Kamal’. Due to this, devotees from all over, came to know aboutthis remarkable phenomenon.

Sarlatai has published several books on Swami in Hindi. Due to her contribution,many people from Uttar and Madhya Pradesh came to know of Swami’s life, His leelasand His mission. In this way, she fulfilled her worship, through literature. Yes ! This is thesame Sarlatai to whom Swami has promised, “Whoever regularly recites My ashtottarithree times a day, as specified by the Sanathana Dharma-morning, afternoon and evening– without fail, for one year, I will fulfill all his tasks.”

We offer our koti pranams to this unmanifest aspect of Swami, Who is ever- presentin every atom of this universe. May He give us the intelligence to realize His divine invisiblepower. This is our prayer at His divine lotus feet.


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OM SRI SAI

KÄMA KRODHA DHWAMSINÉ NAMAH - (60)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who destroys desire and anger.

In the 21st Shloka of the 16th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord has declared,

Trividham Narakasyedam

Dwäram Näshanam Ätmanah

Kämah Krodha Stathä LobhahTasmätdeta Trayam Tyajet

‘These three gates to hell are destructive of the Self-lust, anger and greed; therefore oneshould abandon these three.’

The ‘shadripus’ or the six negative qualities of the human nature pose as obstacles in thepath of God-Realization. As long as these obstacles exist, God does not accept that person as adevotee.

How will God dwell in a heart which is filled with ‘shadripus’ ? Only when we discard thenegative qualities like anger, lust, desire, greed will our mind attain peace, we will lose bodyconsciousness, our heart will be purified and then God will take His seat in our hearts.

Here are two incidents which narrate how Swami destroys negative traits like anger etc. inHis devotees.

The first incident is from Swami’s childhood. One day, a teacher in class, realized that allthe students were taking down notes except Sathyanarayana. So he got angry and said, “Whoeveris not writing may stand up.” Sathya stood up. The teacher asked, “Why are you not writing ?”Innocent Sathyanarayan replied, “I know everything that you are teaching, then where is the needto write notes ?” The teacher’s ego was hurt. He penalised Sathya by asking Him to stand up onthe bench. Sathya obeyed the teacher. But when the class got over, the teacher got stuck to his chairand could not get up. When another teacher came there to take the next class, he understood thatthis had happened due to the unreasonable punishment given to Sathya. The teacher was asked towithdraw the punishment. The moment it was done, he was able to get up from the chair; hisanger and ego were destroyed and from then on, he became an ardent devotee of Swami...

The second incident is from Mumbai. Swami promised a devotee that during His next visitto Mumbai, He would come to the devotee’s house and oversee the study circle that was heldthere. But when Swami arrived in Mumbai, there was no indication from Him about the visit, sothe devotee asked Swami about it. Sai said, “If I come there, everything in that area will get disrupted,because the road is narrow and it is full of shops on either side, and if I come, a huge crowd willgather and this will inconvenience all of you.” On hearing this the devotee’s daughter felt extremelydisappointed, and then she got angry too. Next moment Swami said, “Daughter seems to be veryangry !” He turned to her and said, “I will come, but do you want My presence for two hours, orwould you prefer to have Me there forever ?” The moment she heard this, her anger vanished andher devotion was reawakened. Who will refuse the gift of Swami’s presence for ever? Swami keptHis word and the devotee experienced His divine presence in the house all the time....


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DAY FIVE(MONDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA


CHAPTERS 61 TO 75

MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI SAI

KANAKA - AMBARA DHÄRINÉ NAMAH - (61)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who wears a golden (ochre) coloured robe.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba wears an ochre robe and orange pitambar. Sanyasisalso wear orange garb. But, there is a difference here. The sanyasis wear orange clothes asa sign of renunciation of worldly life. About Himself wearing the orange robe, Sri SathyaSai says, “It is only to remove the kashaya (evil feeling and bitterness) from the minds ofthe people, I wear this kaashaaya.”

When Swami was a child, His grandfather Sri Kondamma Raju would visit thedistrict place, and get colourful pieces of apparel for all his grandchildren. On his return,all the children would rush to select their favourite colours, but little Sathya used to preferto be the last one to take His pick. He got more joy in His siblings’ happiness.

In 1940, after the declaration of His avatarhood, Swami started wearing awhite robe, right until 1946. When the Kuppam family came to Puttaparthi for theNavarathri celebrations in 1946, Smt Radhamma got coloured silken robes for Swami.Swami accepted her loving offering and wore robes of different colours for the Navarathrifestival. Since then He started wearing the ochre robe.

In those days, the crowds around Swami were thin, and Swami used to tell thedevotees, “Today you get to meet Me, talk to Me easily, but a day will come when youwill see Me from a very long distance, only as an orange dot.” He also mentioned this inthe letter to His brother Sri Sesham Raju in May 1947.

Here is an incident from the old times, which is very enlightening. Once a ladywho called herself a devotee, thought that she should get an orange robe stitched forSwami. Just to fulfill her wish, Swami asked her to get Him a robe. She rushed to get itstitched and offered it to Swami. But by this time, there was a change in her attitude. Egoreplaced the joyful state. ‘Swami asked me to get Him a robe, He will wear it’- this egoisticthought kept surfacing in her mind. In that frame of mind she went all over Puttaparthiand started telling everyone about it. On her return to the Mandir she witnessed a startlingscene – the robe offered by her was shredded into festoons and hung all over. As she hadstarted speaking to others with an egoistic attitude, Swami had asked for a pair of scissorsto have the robe cut up into festoons and put all over. The lady understood her mistakeand also realized that Swami had asked for the robe, only to fulfill her wish. She fell at Hisfeet and asked for pardon.

Here is a sweet story with reference to Mother Easwaramma. Once Swami was atDharmakshetra, Mumbai and was to leave for Pandharpur. Mother Easwaramma and afew devotees were with Him. Swami asked Mother Easwaramma, “Why don’t all of yougo and do some sight – seeing in Mumbai?” In playful anger she exclaimed, “One needsmoney for that, isn’t it? If You give us some, we will be able to go!” Swami tugged on theside seams of the robe and showing her that the robe did not have any pockets, He said,“Does this have pockets? From where can I give you the money ?” On hearing the dialoguebetween the mother and son, everyone burst into laughter !


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OM SRI SAI

ADBHUTA CHARYÄYA NAMAH - (62)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Whose deeds are amazing.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is God incarnate and the seven qualities of prosperity,glory, knowledge, non-attachment, creation, sustenance and dissolution are present inHim. Just by His divine will, He performs many wondrous miracles.

Years ago, once, He was sitting on the sands of the Chitravathi with some devotees.He started drawing something with His fingers on the sands. Someone asked, “Swami,what are You drawing ?” He smiled softly and said , “Soon a new mandir will beconstructed. This is the plan of that mandir. From now on, not from India alone, butthousands of devotees from all over the world will come here. Lakhs of people will come.Puttaparthi will become a very famous pilgrim centre.” Some of the people who heard itat that time had some doubts. But today every word that Swami said has turned intoreality. Swami has established temples of knowledge, temples of healing and has provideddrinking water through the water-projects to thousands of people, all as a part of Hisglorious mission. The Chaitanya Jyoti museum, Poorna Chandra & Sai Kulwant halls,Hill view stadium, the beautifully carved idols, the planetarium, the University – aren’tall these wondrous creations?

Bhagawan Baba has also cured many devotees of serious ailments. He has givenrebirth to the dead. While being at one place in His physical body, He travels to any partof the world in His subtle form, to rescue His devotees from calamities. Let us ponderover one such wondrous deed of Swami.

Once while in Brindavan ashram, Swami said to one of His devotees Dr. Gadhia,“Yesterday I had gone to Kampala to save your parents from a car accident.” Kampala isa town in Africa and Dr. Gadhia’s parents who were residing there, met with a serious caraccident. The car was crushed beyond repair; but both of them survived unhurt. Thisbecame possible only due to Swami’s grace. And while doing so, Swami’s physical formwas at Brindavan ashram in Bangalore. Whatever Swami told Dr. Gadhia, was laterconfirmed by his family at Kampala.


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OM SRI SAI

ÄPAD BÄNDHAVÄYA NAMAH - (63)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who in our calamities, comes to our help like a close relative.

When calamity strikes, Bhagawan Baba takes care of us, even more than a closerelative would, so for all His devotees, He is ‘Äpad Bändhava’.

Those who have total faith in God, surrender themselves completely to Him.According to their past karma, they have to encounter calamities, but at that time, Godrushes to help and rescue them.

Here is a story to illustrate this. A devotee of Swami named Mr Kulkarni lived inBangalore. In July 1964, while performing pooja in his worship room, he felt giddy andfainted. Mrs Kulkarni and a servant were in the house at the time. The servant ran to theneighbour Mr Risbud and informed him. Mr Risbud along with another neighbour rushedto Mr Kulkarni’s house. They saw Mr Kulkarni lying flat on the floor. So the two of themlifted him and put him on a bed. In doing so, they realized that his left side of the bodywas paralysed. Mr Risbud rushed to call the doctor.

When Mr Risbud returned with the doctor, he saw Mrs Kulkarni sitting in thepooja room. She was very calm and was engrossed in her prayers. Suddenly everyonenoticed that vibhuti started falling from Swami’s photograph. The doctor meanwhilediagnosed paralysis and started the treatment. The vibhuti shower came continuouslyfor four days. After four days it stopped but by then Mr Kulkarni was out of danger andwithin two months returned back to normal.

What one understands from this story is Mrs Kulkarni’s total faith in Swami. Shehad completely surrendered to Him. Through the vibhuti Swami showed His divinepresence and pulled Mr Kulkarni out of danger and cured him completely.

Mr Kulkarni’s neighbour Mr Risbud had a son who was undergoing some trainingin Mumbai. In order to come home to Bangalore, he took leave for a few days. Beforereaching Bangalore he got off the train at Dharmavaram station and came to Puttaparthi.He took Swami’s darshan and blessings and left for Dharmavaram in order to reachBangalore. As he reached the station, the police stopped him and started asking a lot ofquestions. This was during the Indo-China war and the police were extra vigilant. Althoughthey made a detailed inquiry, this young man was not afraid. Calmly He took Swami’sphoto out of His pocket, showed it to the police and told them that he had gone for Swami’sdarshan and was returning to his home town. The moment they heard this, they let himgo and his onward journey to Bangalore was uneventful and safe.


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OM SRI SAI

PREMÄTMANÉ NAMAH - (64)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Whose inner reality is only love.

Swami says, “I am pure love. I only give bliss. And through this bliss, you getlove.” Innumerable devotees the world over have experienced Swami’s love. It has alsobeen scientifically proved that He constantly showers love.

In July 1976, a scientist named Dr. Frank Baronowski photographed Swami with aKirlian camera. This is a special camera which can capture the aura that surrounds livingbeings. Dr. Baronowski had conducted a lot of research on this topic and had photographedmany people from different fields and stratas of society in order to study their auras.When he observed Swami’s photographs, he was stunned because he had never evercome across such an aura, which was white, blue and pink in colour, with streaks of goldand silver. These colours represent pure concentrated love.

Here is a story about Swami’s pure love for His devotees. In 1966, a couple from amiddle class background went to Prashanthi Nilayam for Swami’s darshan. Swamishowered His grace and called them for an interview. During the interview He told thelady, “Even if you haven’t told anybody the real reason for your sorrow, I know about it.Your husband thinks you are sad because of the financial constraints, but that is not true.You are sad because you are worried about your brother. You call Me your mother, father,guru, brother and friend, isn’t it? Then why do you worry? From now on you will be freeof worry. Go home happily.”

They returned home happy, with Swami’s blessings. They had a big surpriseawaiting them. The reason was very unusual. This lady’s brother had participated in the1942 freedom struggle. He had got injured badly in the police ‘lathi charge’. He had beenstruck on his head and had fallen unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he hadsuffered from loss of memory. The lady was worried about the brother’s condition andwas especially concerned about his well-being, after she would pass away. But Sai, Whois the embodiment of love, gave her the assurance and removed her worry.

When the couple returned home, the brother was standing in the doorway, awaitingtheir arrival. After a long span of 24 years, he had recovered miraculously and was anormal man ! This was a gift from Premaswaroopa Sai.

Sant Tukaram says,

“Love is a gift from God; it removes body consciousness and unites us with God.”


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OM SRI SAI

PREMA MOORTAYÉ NAMAH - (65)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of Love.

Swami says, “Love is My form.” Premaswaroopa Sai showers unconditional loveon everybody with His gracious glances.

During the Shirdi incarnation, many were recipients of Sainath’s ‘anger’; however,deep below the anger was only love for the devotees. In the Parthi incarnation Sri SathyaSai only showers love and does not get angry with anybody. Once when someone askedSwami about this, He said, “When a mother is cooking, if her child comes in the way, shegets angry. But when she is serving food, she feeds the same child very lovingly, so thatthe child is satiated.”

Here is a story about Premswaroop Sai’s grace. Some years ago, the students ofPuttapurthi school were seated for Swami’s darshan. After His round in the darshan hall,Swami reached the verandah. He stopped for a moment and turned back. He came to therows where the children were seated, stood in front of a child and stared at him. In a sternvoice Swami asked the child,”Can’t you go to the doctor?”

Why did Swami get annoyed with the child? The boy had mumps. Since the pasttwo days his cheeks were swollen and he was wincing in pain. When Swami asked thisquestion, the child replied in innocence, “Swami, when You are everything to me, whyshould I go to the doctor?”. Swami burst out laughing. He gently patted the child on hisback and went away.

Next day, everyone who saw the child was surprised, because he looked completelynormal. The swelling on his cheeks was gone and there was no pain. But when Swamicame for His round of darshan, everyone saw the swelling on His cheeks. “That innocentchild put his burden on Me with so much faith; how can I let him down? I had to free himfrom pain...”

Sant Tukaram says, “Wherever Hari’s name is chanted, love dwells there; lovecomes from God, in search of His devotees.”


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OM SRI SAI

PREMA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (66)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who bestows love on all

Swami says,”I don’t want anything from you. If you want to give Me something,only give Me your love. When a pure heart overflowing with love is offered to Me, Myhand comes forth to receive it, otherwise it only keeps giving all the time, it neverreceives...” Swami also says, “Love is God and God is love.”

The real measure of an individual’s spiritual progress is divine love. We receive itdirectly from God. If we practise ‘See good, be good, do good’, constantly in our lives, wecan become recipients of God’s love.

There are many ways by which we can help the needy and the underprivileged. Ifwe are able to see God’s image in them while serving them, we will be able to experiencedivine love.

Here is a story about a doctor from Mumbai who became a recipient of Swami’slove. In February 2002, the doctor had to go to Chennai to attend a wedding ceremony. Afriend of his was also invited to the same wedding. So when the doctor asked the friend tocome along, the friend put a condition that he would go along, only if the doctor went toPuttaparthi on the way. The doctor agreed and they both reached Prashanthi Nilayam.

They were seated in darshan and Swami called them for an interview on the sameday itself. They went inside the interview room along with some other devotees andSwami offered a chair to the doctor’s friend saying, ”Sit on the chair: you are unable to siton the ground isn’t it?” The gentleman was surprised because he had never met Swamiearlier. As gifts of grace, Baba materialized a few things for some in the room, then heturned to the doctor and said, ”What do you want?” “Only Your grace”, the doctor replied.Swami smiled and enquired about his practice. The doctor said, ”I don’t charge any feesto poor patients and I also give them free medicines”. Swami seemed very satisfied withthe answer. He blessed the doctor and said, ”Sri Siddhivinayak is watching over you withHis gracious glances.” (The doctor’s dispensary is very close to the Sri SiddhivinayakMandir in Mumbai !)

Next day in darshan, from a distance Swami looked at the doctor very lovingly,raised His hand in blessing and walked ahead. While walking, He gave some instructionsto the seva dal volunteer. In a short while, the volunteer came up to the doctor, took himalong with his friend to the Ganesh gate. A car was waiting there. The seva dal volunteertook them in the car to the Super Speciality Hospital. According to Swami’s instructions,they were taken to each and every department. The doctor was very touched; he felt verygrateful for experiencing, Swami’s love and attention, which he realized was BhagawanBaba’s reward to him for His service to the needy.


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PRIYÄYA NAMAH - (67)Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is dear to all.

God is very dear to all His devotees. The present Sri Sathya Sai avatar, is veryendearing to all those who worship His name and form, but at the same time, He is dearto all others too! How come ? The answer is provided by Swami Himself.

Swami says, “My life is My message.” Every word and deed of His inspires Hisdevotees. Every action of Bhagawan Baba reflects the work He has undertaken for thetemporal and spiritual welfare of all mankind. As a child He told Mother Easwaramma,“I have come here to serve.” And every word of this statement has been translated intoaction by this incarnation of God, who has come down to earth, only to grant deliveranceto the entire world.

Bhagawan Baba had promised Mother Easwaramma that He would provideeducation, medical aid and drinking water to the people of Puttaparthi and the surroundingvillages. As a fulfillment of that promise, huge institutions imparting quality education,super speciality hospitals and mammoth drinking water projects, all free of cost, havebeen gifted by Swami to lakhs of people. Along with His devotees, others too are reapingthe benefits of all these projects. This shows that Swami is ‘Loka Nath’ and today, Hismission is spreading far and wide and is touching the life of each and every person.

Here is an incident which narrates how Swami is endearing to all. A few years agoa Sai devotee was travelling by train to Puttaparthi. In the train he started talking to hisco-passengers. He realized that the person sitting next to him was also going to Puttaparthi.The devotee started talking to him about Swami with a lot of enthusiasm. But, there wasa cold response from the co-traveller. He told the devotee, “I am not a Baba devotee likeyou. I am going there for treatment of my heart problem.” The devotee gave him all theinformation about the hospital and the facilities available there. They reached Puttaparthi,the person went to the hospital and the devotee came to Prashanthi Nilayam.

After one year, the devotee went back to Prashanthi Nilayam for Guru Pournima.He had darshan and heard Swami’s Guru Pournima discourse. As he was walking out ofSai Kulwant Hall, somebody patted him on his back. He turned around and saw anunknown person smiling at him. As the devotee was wondering who this person was, theperson said, “Don’t you recognize me ? Last year we had travelled together in the railwaycompartment.” The devotee remembered the incident and asked, “How is your healthnow ?” The gentleman answered, “By Swami’s grace I am fine. I got a new lease of life.Since today is Guru Pournima, I have come here with my family for the darshan of the‘Jagat Guru’ in order to seek His blessings.”

Just a year ago, this person was aloof and disinterested, how did he start talkingabout Swami with so much love and respect? How did this come about ? It seems, thisperson had been advised emergency heart surgery by the city doctors. After he got himselfadmitted at the Super Speciality Hospital in Prashanthi Nilayam, all the tests wereconducted with the help of the latest state of the art medical equipment. The doctors heretold him that he did not need a surgery. Instead, he was advised medication, a strict dietand daily practice of yoga. He had been following this routine regularly for one wholeyear and was now in perfect health. While he was at the Super Speciality Hospital heheard about Swami’s life, His mission and His glory. Throughout the year, he along withhis family read Sai literature and all of them became very eager to take Swami’s darshan... So, now on this auspicious occasion of Guru Pournima, they were here, to seek darshanof Sai, who is endearing to all !


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BHAKTA PRIYÄYA NAMAH - (68)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the beloved Lord of all devotees.

All devotees love God and are devoted to Him. But who is a true devotee ? The onewhose devotion is accepted by God is a devotee. Bhagawan Sri Krishna says, ‘Yo Mé

Bhaktah Sa Mé Priyäha’ – “My devotee is very dear to Me.” So just as God is dear to Hisdevotees, devotees are very dear to God too...

Since His birth, Bhagawan Baba has been loved by one and all. The moment Hewas born on this earth, Easwaramma, Subamma and Laxmamma were the first ones tohave His darshan, and this divine babe was very endearing to them. As a small child, Hewas the favourite of His older sister and she used to fulfill all His demands. As He grewa bit older, little Sathya became dear to all the needy who came to His door, to ask forfood and clothes. Sathyanarayana who with His playmates started the ‘Pandhari bhajangroup’ in Puttaparthi, was popular not only amongst His friends, but also among thevillagers of Puttaparthi and the surrounding villages. It was as if He had a magneticpull...

But after Bhagawan’s advent on earth, the one whom we may truly call a devotee,was Swami’s grandfather Sri Kondamma Raju. He was Swami’s first devotee because herealized Swami’s divinity right from His birth. He knew that this was Sathyabhama’s SriKrishna, a fact alluded to by Devi Sathyabhama to him in a dream. Due to the manifestdivine qualities of Bala Sathya, he used to call Him ‘Chinna Guru’ (young guru). LaterSathya’s playmates also made Him their guru and the villagers used to address Him as‘Brahma Gyani’.

Swami’s glory began to spread in the nearby villages even prior to the declarationof His avatarhood. After the proclamation, the fragrance of His glory started spreadingfar and wide. People from far away places started coming to Puttaparthi for fulfilment oftheir desires and became devotees of their dear Bhagawan.

Swami who is dear to all His devotees, fulfills all their desires. The incident givenhere illustrates this. Swami was very dear to Subamma. He had promised her that Hewould pour water in her mouth in her last moments. But when she laid her mortal coil,He was not in Puttaparthi. Her dead body was kept for two days, but the effulgence onher face had not faded. Finally Swami reached there after two days and called out to herin a soft sweet tone, “Subamma, I have come....” And slowly Subamma opened her eyes.Swami held her hand in His, gave her vibhuti and poured some water in her mouth. Afterpartaking it, she passed away peacefully.

The centenarian Sri Kondamma Raju had just one desire. He wished that his dearBhagawan should be, by his side, in his last moments. When he realized that the end wasdrawing near, he told Easwaramma, “My end is drawing near.” When Easwaramma wasabout to give him the tulsi water, he stopped her and Swami arrived there at that verymoment. To fulfill His grandfather’s last wish, He was about to pour the water in hismouth, when Kondamma Raju stopped Him and said, “Swami, please drink some waterfirst, and then give the remaining water to me.” Swami acceded to the request of this deardevotee and after partaking the ‘tirth’ given by Bhagawan, Sri Kondamma Raju breathedhis last.

Swami, who is very dear to all His devotees, accepts their heartfelt prayers andgrants them salvation.


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OM SRI SAI

BHAKTA MANDÄRAYA NAMAH - (69)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who like the Divine Mandära tree in the heaven, described in thePuranas, fulfills our sacred desires.

On the completion of the sacred Dyaneshwari, Sant Dyaneshwar in his ‘Pasäyadän’(prasad), requested the Lord,

“May the darkness of ignorance disappear; may the world see the light ofrighteousness; let the auspicious desires of all living beings be fulfilled...”

This prayer of Sant Dyaneshwar was accepted by God and He incarnated on earthin Sai’s form, to fulfill the auspicious desires of all living beings in the world.

Swami says, “‘Yoga’ means the acquisition of something desirable and ‘kshema’means the preservation of what is thus acquired. The discipline by which you can preservethis is ‘ananya chintan’ – (exclusive meditation on the Lord), that will cleanse the mind;and it will make you into a bhakta.”

Swami also says,

“A devotee is one who,talks about God,Sings about God,Only sees God,

Spends all his time with God.”

Bhagawan Baba has incarnated on earth to fulfill the auspicious desires of Hisdevotees and to look after their welfare. He is like the ‘Kalpa Taru’ (wish-fulfilling tree)to His devotees.

When little Sathya was in school, He used to put His hand inside the school bagand manifest peppermints, pencils etc. and give them to His playmates. Later from thetamarind tree on the hill side, He gave a lot of ‘desired’ things to His devotees, and thistree came to be known as a wish-fulfilling tree. This was just an instrument, the real‘Kalpataru’ is Bhagawan Baba, Who fulfills all the desires of His devotees.

When Easwaramma heard about the stories from the Shirdi incarnation, she realizedthat other than three to four villages near Shirdi, Sai had not visited any other place, soshe asked Baba, “Swami, You are an incarnation of Shirdi Sai and He did not go anywherebeyond Shirdi. Then, why do You go everywhere ?” The purpose of asking this questionwas verily because she could not bear separation from Swami for even a few moments...

On hearing this, Swami laughed and replied, “How can I not go anywhere andstay in Puttaparthi alone ? Wherever My devotees are and by whichever name they maycall Me, I have to visit those places in order to bless them. I have to do this. This is why Ihave taken birth.”

Innumerable devotees of Swami have experienced the truth of this statement ofHis. Whoever calls out to Him with a pure heart, He rushes there to help and save thedevotee. Whether worldly or spiritual, He fulfills all the auspicious desires of all Hisdevotees.

As Sant Dyaneshwar has said, Swami is verily ‘an all-pervading paradise, offulfilment.’


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BHAKTA JANA HRIDAYA VIHÄRÄYA NAMAH - (70)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who sports and revels in the hearts of devotees.

Sri Madhavacharya has said, “Devotion is love for God. Those who accept God tobe their true friend and love Him wholeheartedly are devotees.” In the sacred book ‘VivekaChudämani’ it is declared, ‘Devotion is Swa Swaroopa darshan’ (to realize one’s higherSelf as God). And God likes to revel and sport in the hearts of such devotees.

Lord Sri Krishna is the best example of the God Who revels and sports in the heartsof the devotees. We all know about His ‘raas kreeda’ with the gopikas of Gokul. Duringthe ‘raas kreeda’ every gopika used to feel that Sri Krishna was sporting with her alone.In spite of the fact that there were numerous gopikas and just one Sri Krishna, this lilawould take place and the only explanation is that the Lord used to revel and sport as theSelf in the pure heart of each gopika.

Once long ago, Swami was in the mood to sport with His devotees. There were afew devotees around Him. He said to them, “Who will adorn Me with a tulsi garlandtoday, which will reach right up to My feet?” All the devotees rushed to the garden nearbyand brought tulsi leaves. Each one estimated the length and started stringing the garland.To their surprise Swami also started stringing one. When all the tulsi garlands were ready,Swami let each devotee garland Him turn by turn, but none of the garlands reached up toHis feet. The only garland which reached His feet was the one made by Swami Himself!Everyone was overjoyed at this leela.

Then Swami collected all the garlands and rolled them into a ball. He asked everyoneto form a circle and started throwing the ball at each one. Slowly, He increased the speedto such an extent that each one felt as if Swami was throwing the ball only at him ! Thebliss that ‘Hridaya Vihari’ Swami gave all of them is quite beyond description...


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BHAKTA JANA HRIDAYA-ALAYÄYA NAMAH - (71)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who makes the heart of the devotee a sacred abode for Himself.

Bhagawan Sri Krishna has declared, “I have installed Myself in the heart of everyliving being.” So God Himself has chosen the heart as His abode.

Swami says, “The spiritual heart is quite different from the physical heart which ofcourse is a vital organ of the body. In spiritual terms, the heart is eternal and unchanging.The one who realizes this principle, attains all types of knowledge. Real freedom iscontained in this realization.”

Here is a story from the Shirdi incarnation which tells us how God is the indwellerin the devotee’s heart. Shri Dadasaheb Khaparde was an ardent devotee of Sainath. Heused to visit Shirdi quite frequently. Once Sainath kept Dadasaheb with Him for a longtime to protect him from being arrested by the police during the British Raj. Shri MadhavraoDeshpande was another ardent devotee of Sainath. He used to call Sainath ‘Devaa’ andSainath used to call him ‘Shama’.

On 8th December 1911, Shri Dadasaheb Khaparde had a very unusual experience.He went to Madhavrao’s house and found Madhavrao fast asleep. But every time heinhaled and exhaled, with each breath the sound ‘Sainath Maharaj’ could be heard fromhis mouth! This sound was quite clear and could be heard from quite a distance.

This shows that Madhavrao had crossed the four steps of devotion – ‘Sameepatä’(closeness to God), ‘Saroopatä’ (to see God in all), ‘Salokatä’ (to concentrate on Him) and‘Säyujyatä’ (to merge in God).

Swami says, “Bhakti (devotion) leads to shakti (power) and shakti leads to yukti(skill). The yukti helps you fix your rakti (attachment) on the proper objects and yourbhakti thus promoted, finally results in mukti (liberation).”

One day Swami told a devotee, “I will come to your house.” The devotee got veryexcited and gave his address to Swami. Swami asked for the address once more. Thedevotee repeated it. Swami said, “That is not your house; it is a rented place. Your body isyour house and I am ever-present there. But due to illusion you are unaware of it. Removethe ‘maya’ and experience My presence.”

Every purified heart is a ‘Prashanthi Nilayam’ and Bhagawan Baba dwells there inall His glory.


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BHAKTA PARÄDHEENÄYA NAMAH - (72)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is bound by the devotion of His devotees

Bhagawan Sri Krishna says, ‘Poojyeshwa anurägo bhaktiti’ - the love towards thosewho are worthy of worship is devotion.

Bhagawan Baba says, “There are two types of bhakti, one is ‘Sahajabhakti’ and theother is ‘Visheshabhakti’. Sahajabhakti is satisfied with worship, bhajan, naamsmaran,vrata, pilgrimage etc. Visheshabhakti craves for purity of character, suppression ofimpulses, practice of compassion, love, peace, non violence and enquiry.”

While treading the path of devotion, the ‘Navavidha bhakti’ or the nine forms ofadoration are:

1. Shravanam - to listen to God’s glory.2. Keertanam - to sing God’s glory.

3. Vishnusmaranam - to chant God’s name.4. Paadsevanam - to worship God’s lotus feet.5. Vandanam - to bow down to God.

6. Archanam - to offer worship to God.7. Däsyam - to serve God.8. Sneham - to love God as a friend.

9. Atmanivedanam - totally surrender to God.Atmanivedanam is the ultimate form, because God gets bound by the devotion of

a devotee who has completely surrendered to Him.We find innumerable examples of ‘Bhakta Parädheenatä’. To name a few, Sri

Krishna ate the parched rice offered to Him by His poor friend Sudama; He ate granulesof rice at Vidura’s place, and weaved cloth for Kabir. Lord Vithala washed clothes forJanabai and served Sant Eknath as a servant name ‘Shrikhandya’.

When Swami was residing at the old mandir, there was an aged lady devotee namedSakamma. She could not bear separation from Him. She was very concerned that Swamishould have His meals on time. She would fear that His health could get affected, if Hewent out in the bright afternoon sun. Consequently, she would follow Him wherever Hewent. But it was impossible for her to bind this mischievous God to one place! WheneverSwami was missing, she would go all over the village in search of Him, walking with thesupport of a stick. Finally after getting tired, she would return only to find Swami restingin His room! On seeing Him taking rest, she used to feel at ease. Baba used to pretendthat He was resting, only to please Sakamma. The moment she turned her back, He wouldvanish someplace !

During the same time, there was another lady devotee named Yadalam Subamma,who used to come for Swami’s darshan. In those days, the journey was not easy. She usedto come there by taking any means of transport that was available and would bring ‘moongdal dosas and chutney’ for Swami. The dosas were prepared in the morning. The momentHe saw her, Swami would ask for the bag and would happily partake of the cold dosasand chutney and Yadalam Subamma used to ride on waves of bliss.

Many others used to bring several sweet delicacies, but Swami used to ignore themand prefer to have the cold dosa and chutney, brought by His dear devotee. Isn’t this thebest example of how God is bound by the love of His devotee ?


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BHAKTI JNÄNA PRADEEPÄYA NAMAH - (73)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who kindles wisdom & devotion

Bhagawan Baba has shown us that the three paths that lead to liberation – work,worship, wisdom are interrelated. Bhagawan says, “Let all your work be based on wisdom.Let your bhakti be permeated with humility, love, compassion and non-violence. Karmais like a passenger train, which moves slowly. When you mix bhakti with it, it picks upspeed and moves like an express train. Karma and bhakti together develop the knowledgeof the true Self and this enables you to start the real journey towards your Inner Self.”

Here is a story from Sai’s Shirdi incarnation.

On 04.03.1912, Mrs Laxmibai Khaparde, an ardent devotee of Sainath, went toDwarakamayi in the afternoon with a food platter to offer ‘naivedyam’. Usually at noonSainath did not give permission to ladies to enter Dwarakamayi, but He did not stopLaxmibai and even partook the ‘naivedyam’ lovingly. After the meal, Sainath took Hisseat and purposely stretched His legs. On seeing this, Laxmibai was very happy and shestarted massaging them.

Everything seemed fine up to now. But later something unusual happened. Sainathheld Laxmibai’s hands which were massaging His legs and started pressing them withHis own hands. On seeing this Madhavrao Deshpande remarked, “Deva! What aremarkable sight we are seeing ! We are witnessing the actual expression of love betweenGod and His devotee. This is wondrous!” Sainath was very pleased with Laxmibai’sattitude of seva and He whispered in her ear, “Keep chanting ‘Rajaram, Rajaramconstantly.” Sainath who normally did not give a ‘mantra’ to anybody, being pleasedwith Laxmibai’s devotion, lit the lamp of wisdom in her heart in order to guide her on thepath to liberation.

Here is a story from the life of the present Sri Sathya Sai avatar. According to theHindu calendar, every four years there is an ‘adhik maas’ (an additional month). Thisperiod, considered very auspicious, because it is very dear to God, is also known as‘Purushottama Maas’. There is a custom that during this month, ‘an akhand deep’ (lampthat burns continuously) is lit and kept burning in front of God’s idol and a lamp is alsooffered to Him in the name of ‘Purushottama’.

Once a devotee of Swami was travelling to Puttaparthi for Bhagawan’s darshan,during this month. His wife gave him a silver lamp and asked him to offer her pranamsand give it to Swami. The devotee went to Baba, offered Him pranamas, and took thelamp out to give it to Him. Swami asked, “What is this?” The devotee replied, “This is alamp offered to You by my wife on the occasion of Purushottam maas.” Swami acceptedthe lamp but did not seem very pleased about it. He said, “Tell her, there is no need forthese external rituals. She has the eternal flame of devotion in her heart, let her alwayskeep that burning bright.” The couple remembered this instruction always andreverentially followed it throughout their lives.


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BHAKTI JNÄNA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (74)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who confers wisdom & devotion on us.

Bhagawan Baba has said, “Vedas declare there are three types of bhakti-Bhoutika,Ekanta and Ananya. Bhoutika bhakti is connected with ‘jada’ (the physical). If one isimmersed in meditation and idols, all the experiences arise out of body, mind and intellectand they are transient. The body has to perish one day and so the experiences also perish.However, this type of bhakti is necessary for the first stage. Travelling on this path, weshould slowly march towards the second stage of Ekanta bhakti. This bhakti meansdedication to one idol or form and experiencing mental vision of that one form, exclusivelyin privacy.”

“Ekanta bhakti is a subtle state achieved by effective control of the mind andexperiencing oneself as ‘Antaratma’. In case of Ekanta bhakti, the mind is dissolved andis in a still state. One develops the feeling that God is everywhere and in every being.

And lastly, bhakti without any other thought or feeling is Ananya bhakti. It is one-pointed devotion to God involving total surrender.”

Swami also says, “Bhakti is not a temporary state. It is an unbroken contemplationof God without any interposing thought or feeling; a sadhana to be undertaken constantly.”

Earlier, during Gurupournima and Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Bhagawan Baba used togive ‘amrut’ (nectar) to His devotees. All the devotees used to sit in rows in a disciplinedmanner and Swami used to move among them and give amrut which manifested fromHis divine lotus hands. After the devotees, it was given to the seva dal volunteers. Oneyear, after distributing amrut to everyone, Swami was leaving for His residence, on thefirst floor. A lady devotee named Sharadamma came up to Him (she was blessed withdarshan and nearness to both Shirdi and Parthi Sai) and said, “Swami, I did not get amrut;shall I sit here?” He gave her permission to sit. Baba put a drop of nectar in her mouthwith the silver spoon from the vessel in His hand. But she said, “Swami, not even a drophas entered the mouth.” Baba said, “Second chance !” And He stirred the spoon in thesilver vessel thrice and in no time the entire vessel was filled with amrut. Swami putsome in her mouth and then gave it to all the students.

The same Sharadamma, once asked Baba, “Swami, it is said that one attainsimmortality on partaking nectar, but I have seen several people who have passed away,in spite of partaking amrut given by You. Why is it so ?” Swami replied, “I do not giveamrut to grant physical immortality. I give it to bestow wisdom, health, devotion andgood qualities!”

Bhagawan Baba bestows devotion and knowledge upon us. Let us pray at HisLotus feet that we may have the ability to accept this grace.


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SUJNÄNA MÄRGA DARSHAKÄYA NAMAH - (75)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who shows the path of attaining the right knowledge.

Swami says, “ The knowledge that comes from the intellect is gained through thecombination of the senses and the mind. But the enlightening knowledge from ‘Atman’ isabsolute, real and grants liberation.’’

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is our Sadguru and leads us on the path to highestwisdom. He is a ‘Loka Guru’ (Guru of masses) and also a ‘Vyakti Guru’ (Guru forindividuals). As a part of His avataric mission He has started a magazine called ‘SanathanaSarathi.’ Through this magazine Bhagawan Baba guides the sadhaks. The devotees areable to gain insight into right knowledge through His divine discourses which arepublished in this magazine.

In addition to this, when Bhagawan Baba calls devotees for interviews, He givesthem instruction through various examples and short stories. He also individually guidesthem, solves their problems and brings about transformation in their personalities.

There is a well-known story about a naked sadhu of Puttaparthi. This sadhuobserved silence and being lame, went around in a palanquin, completely naked. At thattime, around the year 1941, Swami was staying at Subamma and Karnam’s house. Whenthe palanquin was brought in front of their house, everyone was very curious to seeSwami’s reaction.

Bhagawan very calmly came out carrying a towel in His hand. He gave it to thesadhu and told him, ‘’Since you stay naked all the time, I assume that you have severedall your ties with society. Then why do you live in society ? Why do you have disciples?If you are greedy for fame, why do you give the impression to others that you are desireless?” On hearing this, the sadhu was ashamed. Swami continued, “One who is engaged inNamasmaran, God will never keep him hungry. Go to some place and stay in solitude.Wherever you are, I will provide you with food and shelter”.


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DAY SIX(TUESDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA


CHAPTERS 76 TO 90

MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI SAI

JNÄNA SWAROOPÄYA NAMAH - (76)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is wisdom personified.

This happened a long time ago. One day Mother Easwaramma came to BhagawanBaba and said, “Swami, our small Puttaparthi village has no school. All the children haveto walk many miles to get to school. I know You are an ocean of compassion. So pleaseconstruct a school for these children here, in Puttaparthi.” Mother Easwaramma did notstop at this; she gave some land for the purpose, which belonged to her, and Swamiconstructed a school. ‘Jnana Swaroopa’ Sai thus planted a small sapling of the tree ofknowledge. Slowly, this sapling grew into a huge tree. A bigger school was established inPuttaparthi, a ladies college was started at Anantpur and colleges were also establishedat Puttaparthi, Whitefield, Jaipur and Bhopal.

By and by Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was established on 22ndNovember 1981. This is the one and only university which has integrated value educationwith academics.

All this was made possible because Bhagawan Himself is wisdom personified. Hepersonally pays attention to each detail and ensures that all those who receive academiceducation also benefit from value education.

Prior to this, Bhagawan Baba had established a ‘Veda Pathashala’ to teach the Vedasto young children, as a part of His mission, to restore Vedic knowledge. In 1965, for thefirst time He conducted the ‘Upanayanam Ceremony’ of over four hundred boys andinitiated them into the Gayatri Mantra. He also taught them the holy vedic vakyas – ‘MatruDevo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava.’

A few years ago, Bhagawan Baba asked a devotee from Shimoga, “Do you follow‘sandhya vandana’ regularly ?” (sandhya vandana is chanting of Vedic mantras thrice aday). The devotee bent his head in shame, because although he had been regular in itearlier, recently there had been a lapse on his part. Swami told him, “Doesn’t matter.There is still time. But from now on, you must do it regularly.”

On returning home, the devotee started following the ‘sandhya vandana’ regularly.He also started performing ‘abhisheka’ on the Shivalingam at home, formerly, a regularpractice which he had discontinued. In a few days he noticed that the colourlessShivalingam was now seen as a ‘Suwarnalingam’ (gold lingam) and he could also seeBhagawan Baba’s image in it.

In this way, Bhagawan Baba bestowed devotion and wisdom on His devotee. MayHe shower the same on all of us ..........


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OM SRI SAI

GITA BODHAKÄYA NAMAH- (77)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who teaches us the Bhagavad Gita

In the Varäha Puräna, the glory of Bhagavad Gita has been described by LordKrishna as follows:-

“Gita Mé Parama VidyaBrahmroopä Na Sanshayäha

Ardha Mäträksharä NityaSwänirvächya Padätmika”

“The Gita is My Supreme Vidya. It is verily the form of Brahman. It is the eternalhalf syllable (The dot on the Om), everlasting, the ineffable essence of the Self.”

Further it is said,‘Chidänanden Roopena

Proktä SwamukhatorjunaVedatrayee Paramända

Tatwärtha Jnäna Samyuta’Spoken by Krishna, Consciousness and Bliss incarnate to Arjuna, “It is the three

Vedas, the Ultimate Bliss and full of knowledge of the ‘tatwäs’ (essentials).”

When Arjuna lost his courage on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Bhagawan SriKrishna Himself narrated the Bhagavad Gita to motivate him. We are extremely fortunatethat Bhagawan Sai Krishna Who is the ‘Sanathana Sarathi’ is Himself explaining theBhagavad Gita to us. On 16th February 1958, Swami started a magazine named ‘SanathanaSarathi’. Sanathana means Eternal and Sarathi is Charioteer. Just as Bhagawan Sri Krishnawas the Charioteer of Arjuna’s chariot, Sai Krishna has incarnated today to establish Sathya,Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa in each and everyone’s consciousness and He is theCharioteer Who is guiding us from within.

Swami Says, “Each one’s heart is a ‘Dharmakshetra’ as well as a ‘Kurukshetra’. Itis a field where a man can redeem himself through his good karma. If he turns it intoDharmakshetra, he can cross over the ocean of life easily, if it becomes adharmakshetra,he gets destroyed.”

The first shloka of the Bhagavad Gita teaches us the same thing. In the Kurukshetrawhich is Dharmakshetra also, what are the ‘Mämakaha’ (mine) and the ‘Pandavaha’ (thesacred white skinned people) doing there? ‘Mämakaha’ (my) signifies ego, selfishness,tamasic and rajasic qualities. ‘Pandavaha’ signifies the white skinned people imbued withthe Satwa guna. All beings are involved in this battle. By God’s grace those who arestabilized in the Satwa guna, will achieve victory. They will always remain worthy ofGod’s grace. This is what the Gita teaches us.

This incident took place quite a few years ago. Shri Pandurang Dixit was an ardentdevotee of Swami. His daughter Jyotsna was studying for B.A. with Sanskrit as her subject.Swami asked her, “What is the essence of the Gita ?” She gave a correct answer based onthe syllabus. On hearing it Swami said, “All this is true. But the essence of Gita is quitedifferent. It is ‘Dharma’! Dharma is not religion, but man’s innate duty.”

Swami also says, “The first word of the Gita is ‘dharma’ (duty) and the last word is‘mama’ (my) so the entire Bhagavad Gita teaches about ‘my duty’ (each one’s duty).


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JNÄNA SIDDHI DÄYA NAMAH - (78)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who grants the achievement of wisdom.

In the Bhagavad Gita the Lord had spoken about ‘avyabhichäri bhakti.’ When adevotee’s mind gets totally fixed on God and does not wander towards any object of thematerial world, the devotion is called ‘avybhichäri bhakti.’ To such a devotee who hassurrendered completely, God bestows ‘Atma jnâna’ (knowledge of the Self)

During the Shirdi avatar, there were a few chosen devotees whom Sainath hadgraced with ‘Atma jnäna.’ Among these were Mhalasapati, Madhavrao Deshpande orShama and Smt Laxmibai Khaparde. Mhalasapati was the priest of the Khandoba Mandir,who led the life of a sanyasi. When Sai first came to Shirdi, Mhalasapati had welcomedHim saying ‘Aao Sai’ (Welcome God) and was the first one to be blessed with His darshan.

It is a well-known fact that the sound of ‘Krishna Krishna’ used to emanate fromthe hair of the gopikas. Madhavrao Deshpande or Shama had achieved the same onenesswith Sainath. Some devotees heard the words ’Sainath Maharaj’ with every breath of his,even while he was sleeping. Such a worthy sadhak was blessed by Sainath with ’Atmajnâna’.

Smt Laxmibai Khaparde was just a housewife. But she served Sainath selflesslyand she also used to give food and shelter to poor, promising students. Sainath was verypleased with her meritorious seva and He gave her the Guru Mantra ‘Rajaram, Rajaram’.Besides, ten years after His Mahasamadhi, He blessed Laxmibai with darshan just priorto her death.

The present Sri Sathya Sai avatar also leads His devotees towards Self-Realization.The names of grandfather Kondamma Raju, Smt Subamma, class teacher Sri MehboobKhan come to mind. But there is one more devotee who stands out-Indradevi. She wasborn Russian, worked in the USA and had an Indian name. She was an excellent yogateacher. When Indradevi came in contact with Swami, He increased the level of her spiritualknowledge along with yogic knowledge. He gave her a pearl rosary and a mantra forchanting. He not only materialized vibhuti for her but also manifested an ‘akshay vibhutipatra’ (a vessel which has an unending supply of vibhuti) for her; and the ultimate gift ofgrace was that He blessed her with a power with which she could help people facingcalamities. Her’s is the most extraordinary example. Without doubt, she herself attainedSelf-Realization with Swami’s blessings.


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SUNDARA ROOPÄYA NAMAH - (79)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who has a charming form.

On 23rd November 1926, in the wee hours of morning, amidst the reverberatingauspicious sounds of the musical instruments playing on their own, God Himselfincarnated in a remote village of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. His radiantly beautifulface with attractive features, dusky glowing skin and curly hair delighted everyone. Hehad a mole on His left cheek, as if to ward off the evil eye. This enchanting beautiful babefilled Mother Easwaramma, grandmother Laxmamma and neighbour Subamma’s life withbliss.

Since He was born as a blessing, after the mother had partaken the SathyanarayanaVrata prasad, He was named Sathyanarayana. Everyone started calling this darling babeSathya. Like the waxing moon of the ‘Shukla Paksha’, the baby was growing more beautifuleach day. On seeing His enchanting form, Mother Easwaramma was reminded of BalaKrishna of Gokul. As the child grew a little older, He started drawing horizontal lines ofvibhuti on His own forehead. He would insist that His older sisters should do this forHim. Everyone was enchanted by His charming looks and ways.

When He turned six, the favourite grandchild of grandfather Kondamma Rajustarted taking part in plays organized by His grandfather’s drama company. His unusualbeauty, sweet melodious voice and dancing skill used to make the audience feel as thoughSri Rama and Sri Krishna had appeared once again on earth. Once when a programmewas organized to collect school funds, Sathyanarayana enacted the role of the well-knowndancer Rishyendramani so perfectly that none realized that this was not her performing.

After Sri Sathynarayana proclaimed His avatarhood and declared that ‘I amSaibaba’, many devotees began to throng Puttaparthi and several festivals started beingcelebrated there. In the procession during Navarathri, Bhagawan Baba’s form looked verybeautiful and divine. Earlier, during the procession of Ramanavmi too, Bala Sathya’splaymates used to dress Him up as Sri Rama because of His charming form and divinequalities.

During the Navarathri festival Swami’s form used to seem especially divine andattractive. In 1946, the devotees decided to take Swami in a procession, in a beautifullydecorated palanquin and Swami acceded to their wish. At the time, the devotees sawHim on different days, as the indescribable glowing Minaxi of Madurai, Vishalaxi of Kashiand Kamakshi of Kanchi. Sometimes He was seen as the Shiva-Shakti avatar. Those whowere blessed with this resplendent darshan were verily fortunate souls.

It has been an old tradition for devotees to sing songs and stotras describing theexquisite beauty of God. From ancient days the sages and the saints have been describingthis divine beauty. In the Rama Raksha stotram, while describing the beauty of PrabhuRamachandra, Budha Koushika Rishi says,

“One should meditate on the beautiful Sri Rama, whose hands are adorned with abow, who is seated in a lotus pose, wearing a yellow silken garment, whose eyes arecompeting with fresh lotus petals; the one who is blissful and His eyes are set on the lotusface of Sita who is seated on His left thigh; whose skin is lustrous like the dark rain-filledclouds, and who is adorned with various precious jewels and whose head is crownedwith a halo of shining curly hair...

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Let us meditate on this charming Sri Rama.”

While describing the beautiful form of Panduranga, Sant Dyaneshwar sings, “Justlike the luster emitting forth from innumerable precious gems, the effulgent glow onPanduranga’s divine skin is spreading in all directions. That effulgence and Hisimmeasurable beauty cannot be described in words...”

Similarly God’s beauty has been described by a number of devotees in many ways.In the ‘Käkad Arati’ (early morning arati) of Shirdi Sainath it is said,

“I perform Your ‘Kakad arati’ early in the morning O Sainath ! Accept the ‘laghuseva’ (small service) of this child of Yours and bless me with a vision of Your ‘Chinmayaroopa’ (All-knowing Effulgent Form).

In the Sri Sathya Sai Suprabhatam it is said, ‘Deshäntarägata Budhästava DivyaMoorti Sandarshanä Bhirati Samyuta Chittavrutyä’

“The intellectuals from several countries have come here to seek Your darshan.They are yearning to see Your divine form.”

In the Sri Sathya Sai Ramaraksha Stotram Bhagawan Baba has been described as –

‘One should meditate on the beautiful Sai Rama, the embodiment of Love. His facesweet with a smile, framed in the halo of His curly hair, wearing an orange silken garment,with His eyes competing with fresh lotus petals; who is gracious, the distributor of thedivine vibhuti created from His hands for the benefit of the people; calm and peaceful,seated on a lion-throne, with raised hand bestowing boons...”

The description of this beautiful form makes the devotees experience waves ofbliss giving them the divine ambrosial Sai darshan, within.

What happens due to this beautiful darshan? Swami Himself has told devoteesabout benefits of darshan. When Bhagawan Baba comes to the darshan hall amidst Vedachanting, all the devotees, Baba says, should focus on His beautiful divine form withundivided attention. None should leave their places in the darshan grounds before Heleaves for His residence, for otherwise they are deprived of the divine energy that emitsfrom Him during darshan.

A well known scientist Dr. Frank Baronowski once photographed Swami with aKirlian camera and saw that Swami was surrounded by a wide white, pink and blue aurawhich also had gold and silver stripes. All these colours of the aura are known to representpure love. Dr. Baronowski was stunned to see this phenomenon as he had never seensuch an aura before... Sri Sathya Sai’s darshan bathes the devotees in the rays of love,peace and bliss and it is a soul-stirring experience, for one and all.

‘Darshanam Paapanashanam’ – darshan of a divine being has the power to destroyall our sins. This description matches perfectly with the darshan of the charming form ofSai Sathya Sai which has the power to destroy our sins and bad tendencies.


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PUNYA PURUSHÄYA NAMAH - (80)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of purity.

Bhagawan Baba is the embodiment of purity and He is always engrossed inpromoting sacredness in His devotees too. Swami says “Purity should be practised inthree ways.

1) Purity in thoughts.

2) Purity in speech.

3) Purity in deeds.

Once a person attains these three types of purity, he becomes worthy of My Love.”

It is possible to achieve this purity through constant namasmarana and serving allbeings as forms of God. Let us absorb this story which shows, how Swami showers Hislove on those devotees, who have attained purity.

Swami’s biographer Sri N. Kasturi’s mother Janakiamma was an ardent devotee ofSwami. Through each action of hers one could see that she was a recipient of God’s grace.Swami had fully bestowed His grace upon her. One day Janakiamma said to Baba, “Swami,in my last moments will I receive the holy ‘tirth’ from Your sacred lotus hands? Will Iattain liberation ?” Swami said, “Yes, it will be so.”

As Janakiamma’s end drew near, Swami was at Bangalore. But He had promisedthis sacred soul a boon and it had to happen so... From Swami’s photograph, which wason a wall next to her bedside, ‘tirth’ started flowing; Janakiamma partook it thrice andpeacefully attained moksha.

The second story is about a lady living in a city who was constantly engaged innamasmarana. In accordance with Swami’s teachings she was also involved in seva work.She was now advanced in age. Once while in Prashanthi Nilayam she said to Swami, “Iam old now, yet I am scared of death.” Baba replied, “Don’t be scared. I will be with youtill the last moment, and this is My promise.”

In due time, the old lady’s end neared and she passed away. Due to the promisegiven by Swami, the burden on her mind had been removed. But the rest of her familymembers were curious to know how Swami was going to fulfill His promise of beingwith her until the end. How was anyone to understand this?

A hearse was brought to take away the dead body on its last journey. As her bodywas placed inside the hearse, they saw a picture of Swami inside with a smiling face andthe ‘abhay hasta’ raised in blessing. It was as if Swami was telling her, “I will be with youtill the end....”


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PHALA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (81)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who dispenses fruits of merit acquired by good deeds or acts.

Here is a story about how Bhagawan Baba instantly grants the rewards for ourgood karma. In 1968, Bhagawan Baba paid a visit to East Africa. At the time, a gentlemanthere heard about Him for the first time, but it did not occur to him to take Swami’sdarshan. Not just this, but even when his wife wanted to attend one of the programmesand he went to leave her there, he came away, without entering the venue. During thistime, a close friend of his told him, “Only by Swami’s grace my diabetes was cured.” Onhearing this he had a change of heart, and started getting the urge to seek Swami’s darshan.

But, he was told, that Bhagawan Baba was returning back to India on the verysame day. He thought of going to the airport to seek darshan and since time was short, hegot into his car and drove fast in order to reach in time. But the airport was about 40 kms.from his house. After having driven half way, he saw a motorcade of cars coming fromthe opposite direction. He saw some one he knew in the group. He stopped the personand asked him, “Are you returning from the airport ?” The person replied, “BhagawanBaba just left for India. So we bade Him good bye and are returning back.”

Although he was terribly disappointed on hearing this, something within, urgedhim to go on to the airport and he drove at a faster speed. On the way he started prayingearnestly to Swami, “You came very close to my house, but I did not seek Your darshan.Now I have realized Your glory and am yearning to see You. If I have performed anymeritorious deed, please let me have Your darshan.” As the prayer ended, he reached theairport. Before entering the premises, he bent his head down reverentially, touched thegate with his head and went inside. As he walked ahead, he saw a plane landing on therunway. The door was opened and wonder of wonders ! Bhagawan Baba was standing inthe doorway ! He could not contain his happiness, and tears of joy started rolling downhis cheeks. He said, “Bhagawan, from this moment my heart will have only Your image.”

How did this come about ? After the flight took off, the plane developed a technicalsnag, so it was brought back. Within few minutes the snag was rectified and BhagawanBaba left. Every devotee will agree that it was only the Omniscient Swami’s leela ! Swamireturned only in response to the prayer of His pure-hearted devotee, to give him darshanand reward him for his meritorious acts.

Swami says, “Karma is a seed which is bound to grow into a tree and reap itsfruits. But if this seed is roasted in the fire of non-attachment, it is rendered fruitless andfrees man from the bondage of sorrow and pain.”


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PURUSHOTTAMÄYA NAMAH - (82)Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the Supreme Person.

‘Yasmätkshara Matee TohamAksharädapi ChottamähaAtosmi Loké Vedé ChaPrathitaha Purushottamaha“As I transcend the perishable, I am even higher than the imperishable; therefore

I am declared as the ‘Purushottama’ (The Supreme Person) in the world and in theVedas.”

Here is a story, which narrates how Sri Sai Purushottama showered His grace onan innocent farmer. This farmer named Ratudan Gadhvi lived in a village called Makwanain Gujarat. He was simple by nature and found it hard to make both ends meet. Due tothe famine, all the farmers in that area including Ratudan were undergoing lot ofdifficulties. There was no fodder for the cattle and the conditions were really adverse. Tofind a way out of this situation he decided to consult a relative of his by the name GulabdasBarot, and travelled to a village called Limodi near Rajkot to meet Gulabdas.

Gulabdas Barot was a devotee of Swami. In fact, a ‘Sai Centre’ was established inhis house and activities such as bhajan and nagarsankirtan were conducted there regularly.On hearing Ratudan’s sad story, Gulabdas suggested a remedy. He suggested that Ratudanshould pray to Swami from his heart and then sprinkle vibhuti all over his farm. Ratudan,once a robber, somehow was unable to believe that Swami is God, because Swami’sphysical form did not match with the image of Sri Krishna that was installed in his heart.But since he was desperate, he did as he was told.

And wonder of wonders! That year there was plenty of rain and he reaped a verygood harvest. Ratudan gathered up courage and travelled all the way to Puttaparthi tooffer his gratitude to Swami. Baba called him for an interview. During the interview Heasked Ratudan, “You have been telling everyone that a person with this type of haircannot be my ‘Murlidhar Sri Krishna, isn’t it?” Ratudan said, “Yes Baba.” Swami toldhim, “Look here.” And lo and behold, that very moment he saw Swami’s form changinginto Murlidhar Sri Krishna! With tearful eyes, Ratudan fell at Swami’s feet and said,“Baba, please forgive me; please grant me devotion.” To which Swami answered, “I didnot give you this darshan, for devotion, but I have given it so that it will bring aboutcomplete transformation in you. Are you going to quit your earlier business completelyor not?” Ratudan asked, “Which one?” Swami said, “Tell Me the truth. Were you not adacoit looting and killing people ?” Repenting for his past deeds, Ratudan once again fellat Swami’s feet. Baba gave him vibhuti and sent him away. As Ratudan walked out of theinterview room, he was a completely transformed person. Later, a Sri Sathya Sai Centrewas established in his house.

There is another story about an Australian lady devotee of Swami. In the interviewroom she photographed Swami with His permission. After returning home, she developedthe film and was astonished to see in that photograph, Swami as ‘Purushottam Sri Krishna’.

The Lord says,Yo Mämevama SamoodhoJänäti PurushottamamSa Sarva Vidbhajati MämSarva Bhävena Bhärata“He who, undeluded thus knows Me, the Supreme Purusha, he all-knowing,

worships Me with his whole being, O Bharat …..”


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PURÄNÄ PURUSHÄYÄ NAMAH - (83)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the most ancient Supreme Person.

Bhagawan Baba says, “ There was no one to know who I am till I created the worldfor my pleasure, with one word.” With the divine sankalpa, “Ekoham Bahusyam,” theOne became many and this universe came into existence.

Once somebody put a few questions to ‘Purana Purusha’ Bhagawan Baba :-

Question : “Swami, it seems many noble souls and yogis are still doing penance inthe Himalayas; is this true?”

Swami : “Yes. There are many of them”

Question : “Then why don’t they come to Swami? Won’t they miss the opportunityof seeing God in human form?”

Swami : “I am always with them and protecting them . These noble souls andyogis don’t need My physical presence because they are aware of My inner presence intheir hearts”.

Question : “Did You save the life of a yogi from drowning near the Vashisthacaves while he was in a deep meditative state?”

Swami : “Yes. This is just one example.”

When Devarah Baba who is over four hundred and fifty years old or Babaji who isa thousand years old, seek Swami’s darshan and yearn for His blessings, we are convincedabout the fact that Bhagawan Baba is ‘Purana Purusha’.

In 1961 Bhagwan Baba went on a pilgrimage to Badrinath with a few chosendevotees. One evening he called for all the lady devotees from the group and asked themto start preparing a meal. In a short time puris, vegetable and sheera were prepared. Atnight the meal was laid out on a table and within a short time, many seers and yogisarrived there from the Himalayan caves to seek prasad and receive dakshina at the divinehands of “Purana Purusha” Bhagawan Baba, and waited in a long queue, for this purpose.No one had been informed about this earlier, in any way, but all of them came on theirown to receive Bhagawan Baba’s blessings. They were almost 500 in number and theimportant fact to note here is that, none of them had earlier received darshan of Swami’sphysical form, yet they all arrived there as they were in close contact with His ‘DivyaSwaroopa’ (Divine Form).


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ATITÄYA NAMAH - (84)

Salutations to Sri Sai, whose glory is transcendent.

Bhagawan Baba says, “Do not try to measure or understand Me. I am beyondyour comprehension.”

Here is a story which tells us how Swami and His leelas are beyond humancomprehension.

A person who hailed from Burma (now Mynamar), a yogi by the nameKrishnadas, was doing penance in the Himalayas for many years. He was meditatingupon Lord Vishnu. A long time elapsed and as a reward for his sadhana, one day,he heard a divine voice telling him, “I have incarnated at Puttaparthi in AndhraPradesh. Come for My darshan as soon as possible.” Krishnadas could not containhis joy. Immediately he left for Puttaparthi. He never wore any clothing most of thetime, and if he had to move in society, which was on very rare occasions, he wouldcover himself with a loin cloth. When he reached Puttaparthi, Swami sent a lungiand shawl for him along with a message that he should wear it and come for darshan.

Swami called him for an interview and gave him darshan in the form of LordVishnu! He also gave him a photograph of Himself. As Krishnadas was takingSwami’s leave, He told him, “Now there is no need for you to go back to theHimalayas. Go and stay at ‘ Chaul’ in Maharashtra. According to Swami’sinstruction, Krishnadas travelled to Mumbai and visited several temples to seekdarshan. He did not know the exact location of Chaul, so he got a map ofMaharashtra, got the details and reached Chaul.

During the interview Swami had foretold the chain of events that were goingto unfold once Krishnadas reached Chaul. Everything happened exactly as Swamihad spoken. A few people came to him and said, “Will you take charge and becomea priest of a temple here?” When Krishnadas asked them ‘temple of which deity?’they replied, that it was the temple of Lord Dattatreya. Since Swami had alreadyinstructed him about this, he accepted the responsibility and started living in thetemple. The Dattatreya Mandir was situated on top of a mountain with peacefulsurroundings. Krishnadas carried out his duties as a priest and in the remainingtime pursued his sadhana.

Krishnadas installed photograph of Sri Shirdi Sai and Sri Sathya Sai in thetemple. He had kept a small container for vibhuti in front of Swami’s photographs.In no time, it was filled with vibhuti. He had with him an ordinary vessel for food.The exact amount of food required by him used to appear in that vessel. Krishnadaswas basically a small eater so he did not require much food, but in order that heshould not waste time in cooking, Swami turned the ordinary vessel into an ‘akshaypâtra’. Swami had promised Krishnadas in Puttapurthi- ’Yogakshéma Vahâmyaham’(I will take care of every thing) and He kept His word. From the akshay pâtraKrishnadas used to give food to a few select devotees; especially small childrenwere given their favourite eatables by him.

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Once Swami arrived in Mumbai and was staying at the residence of Shri P.K.Sawant. During His stay Swami personally sent a car to Chaul and asked Krishnadasto come for His darshan. And He did not forget to send the message, “Wear thelungi and the shawl!”.

Krishnadas came to Mumbai and Swami blessed him with darshan. He alsogave him ‘Guru Upadesh’ and sent him back to Chaul. In obedience to Swami’sdirective, Krishnadas stayed there and continued his sadhana for twelve years.Later with Swami’s permission he moved to the Siddheshwar mountain nearKhandala and continued his sadhana in solitude. Finally, he took samadhi thereand merged in Sai.


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KÄLA ATITÄYA NAMAH - (85)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who transcends the limits of time.

We ordinary mortals are bound by the limits of time and space, but how can Godbe bound by these when He is the One who created time and space through His divinewill!

When we read about the leelas of all the avatars, we realize this aspect. During theincarnations of Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and Shirdi Sai, there have been innumerable incidents,which illustrate that God transcends time and space.

When Bhagawan Sri Krishna played the ‘Raas Kreeda’, one night used to turn intosix months; and it was just the opposite when Bhagawan Sri Krishna imparted theBhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra, He condensed the time.

Here is a story from the times of the present Sri Sathya Sai avatar, which illustrateshow Bhagawan Baba can control time. With His permission and blessing, a group ofsadhaks left for the ‘Nara Narayana Caves.’ When they reached the ‘Urvashi Kunda’,they were inspired to sit in meditation. While meditating, they must have reached thesamadhi state. When all of them came out of this state simultaneously, they were feelingvery peaceful and relaxed. Normally whenever they practiced meditation, they could notdo it beyond two hours at a stretch. So out of habit, when one of them checked the time inhis wrist watch, they were wonder struck ! They found out that they had been in thesamadhi state for not just two hours, but for a long duration of eighteen days! The dayand the date in the wrist watch was reflecting this. In these eighteen days they had beenrecipients of such a nectarine experience that in spite of the severe cold and snowfall, theyhad remained peaceful and unaffected by the extreme weather or hunger and thirst.Bhagawan Baba had condensed this period of eighteen days to two hours.

All of us know of the incident when Lord Sri Krishna brought the people of Mathuraovernight to Dwarka, while they were asleep, in order to rescue them from Jarasandha’sharassment. When the ‘Mathuravasis’ woke up from their sleep, a miracle took place.They went about their daily chores in Dwarka as if they always belonged there.

A somewhat similar incident was repeated at Dwaraka by Sai Krishna. BhagawanBaba reached Dwarka at the invitation from the Rajamata of Jamnagar. When Sai Krishnaset out to visit the Sri Krishna temple, the organizers who had reached there much inadvance, found a huge crowd awaiting Swami’s arrival. They requested the temple priestto open the room adjacent to the temple but he expressed his inability to do so. Theorganizers were at their wits end.

Just then Swami reached there. A huge crowd was following Him and there was astampede. Swami realising the seriousness of the situation did a leela. He held the handof Shri Raja Reddy – a dear devotee of His – and within a moment, they both disappearedand the next moment they appeared outside the temple, right in front of the Rajamata’scar ! This miracle was possible only for ‘Kaläteeta’ Bhagwan Baba, Who transcends timeand space.

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Swami left a message with the Rajamata’s chauffeur that they were driving aheadand asked Shri Raja Reddy to drive the car. When the Rajamata and others heard thenews, they were concerned as to how Swami will know the way to the desired destination;but will not the ‘Käläteeta’ Bhagawan Baba know the way ? All the other cars startedfollowing Swami’s car and they reached the destination.

After the divine discourse at Mithapur, as they were returning back, Swami stoppedthe cars at a particular spot. He said to Sri Kasturi, “You want to see the seashore isn’t it ?Behind this hill you will be able to see it.” All of them crossed the hill and they saw apicturesque view of a seashore. Once again everyone wondered, how Swami knew aboutthe seashore because most of the people who belonged to that area, did not know aboutit. Then how did Swami know it ?

On the same seashore, Bhagawan Baba moved His hands through the sands andcreated a 40 inch long gold idol of Bhagawan Sri Krishna and all the devotees were thrilledand blessed with the special darshan of Lord Sri Krishna!


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SIDDHI ROOPÄYA NAMAH - (86)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the embodiment of all accomplishments.

The scriptures explain the ‘Maha Siddhis’ (great powers) to be – Animä, Mahimä,Garimä, Laghimä, Präpti, Präkämya, Ishitä and Vashitä. They are attained by yogis as theresult of prolonged sadhana over many years. But the ‘Sankalpa Siddhi’ of the Sai avataris very different from all these Siddhis. The power of Bhagawan Baba is a spontaneousdivine expression. Bhagawan constantly uses this power for the welfare of people.

In the Shirdi incarnation, Sainath exhibited His mastery over all these eight Siddhis.In the tenth chapter of the Sri Shirdi Sai Satcharitra, it has been described as follows :-

“Baba slept on a wooden plank, about 4 arms in length and only a span in breadth.It was tied like a swing to the rafters of the Masjid with rags. The rags were so thin andworn out that it was a wonder, how they could even bear or support the weight of theplank itself, let alone the weight of Baba. But somehow or the other it was Baba’s sheerleela that the worn out rags did sustain the plank, with Baba’s weight on it. On the fourcorners of this plank, Baba lighted earthern lamps which were kept burning all night. Itwas a sight for the Gods to see how Baba moved up and down the plank which washanging in midair. To the One who is above gunas, how can any physical object obstructHim? Baba had all the eight Maha Siddhis (great powers) at His command. He nevercraved or laboured for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of His perfection.”

In the present Sri Sathya Sai avatar, the devotees have experienced the ‘SiddhiRoopa’ of Swami on many occasions. Years ago, when Swami was once bitten by a snake,He touched a devotee who was beside Him and it was as if Swami’s Maha Siddhimanifested in that devotee for a short span. Just like Swami, the devotee’s hand startedmoving in a circular motion and a medicinal herb appeared in his palm. He gave the herbto Swami and instantly the effect of the poison disappeared. The devotee was completelyunaware of what was happening. He only felt a slight twinge of pain for a few moments,while the herb manifested in his palm.

The great philosopher Shri T. S. Bharade has said, “Sri Sathya Sai’s ‘Maha Siddhi’is such that the ‘reality’ of His miracles can easily convince even a hard core rationalistintellectual, who generally disbelieves miracles. All this goes to show the powerful effectof the ‘Atmashakti’ (power of the soul) on the ‘Jadashakti’ (power of physical).”


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OM SRI SAI

SIDDHA SANKALPÄYA NAMAH - (87)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Whose divine will is immediately effective.

As an expression of His limitless grace, Swami materializes vibhuti or other objects.He calls this process ‘sankalpa siddhi’.

This means that objects are created only through Swami’s sankalpa. Not only ‘vastu’(objects) but we have seen many ‘vaastus’ (buildings / structures) erected through Swami’ssankalpa. To name a few, Prashanthi Nilayam, Dharmakshetra, Shivam, Sunderam, TrayiBrindavan, a number of schools and colleges, University building, hospitals, the Hill Viewstadium and the huge idols erected there, museums, planetariam, Poornachandra and SaiKulwant hall, the Sarva Dharma Stoopa, have all come up through Swami’s sankalpa in ashort span of time. Besides, even the work that is carried out here, whether related toeducation, health care or water projects, is carried out smoothly and efficiently. All thishappens only due to Swami’s divine will.

Years ago, once, somebody asked Swami some questions regarding this :-

Question: “What power manifests a miracle?”

Swami: “To call it a miracle is wrong. That which is a power, which is ever present,can it be called a miracle? But I have understood your question. What youcall miracle is a ‘divine power.’ This is a power which is vast and endlesslike an ocean. Anyone can come and fill up his vessel with the water of thisocean, according to his capacity.

I manifest objects – what you call a miracle, but not for exhibiting My power– one exhibits to impress people. The object appears the moment I will it. Itis spontaneous. ‘Yad bhäva tad bhavati’ – whatever comes to the mind, justhappens; the objects come in the hand with the sankalpa.”

Question: “In which year did You attain this divine power?”

Swami: “I chose My birth. I chose My mother. In life, people can choose only ahusband or a wife, they can’t choose a mother; but I chose My mother. Andright since My birth I have this ‘Prema drishti’ (loving glance) and ‘DivyaShakti’ (divine power). Sri Rama and Sri Krishna had also chosen theirmothers. They served their people with love. Sri Krishna even took the roleof a charioteer in order to serve.”

Dr. Bhagvantam was a very well-known Indian scientist and an ardent devotee ofSwami. Once he had to attend a science conference at Accra in Nigeria. Prior to hisdeparture, Swami told him “Go to ‘Arusha’ and meet My devotee Dr. Gadhia.”

In accordance with the plan, Dr. Bhagvantam reached Arusha. The people whowere present there asked him, “Will you tell us something about Swami’s miracles ?” Dr.Bhagvantam answered, “Thousands of miles away from Prashanthi Nilayam I am seeingthe ‘Om Sri Sathya Sai dispensary’ and ‘Sai Nilayam’ here, what can be a bigger miraclethan this. ?” While elaborating further on this statement, he said “Swami’s Siddha Sankalpaand biggest miracle is to bring about transformation among His devotees.”

However, interestingly, once Swami told Shri N. Kasturi, “If a student does notstudy all round the year, he is bound to get a zero in the examination. So just like youneed to put hard work into everything, sincere efforts are required in sadhana too. If yoursankalpa (sadhana / efforts) is not there, what can Swami’s siddhi do ?


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OM SRI SAIÄROGYA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (88)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who grants us good health.For being healthy, physical well-being alone is not enough. Along with the body

even the mind has to be healthy and strong, only then can one be called a healthy person.If either, of the two gets afflicted, one falls sick. Bhagawan Baba’s grace ensures that Hisdevotees are healthy in body and mind. Among the many names of Bhagawan Baba, onename describes Him as ‘Om Sri Sai Sarva Roga Nivärine Namah’ which means that whenthe devotees get afflicted with health problems, Swami easily removes the disease andgrants good health.

As a part of the divine mission and in order to fulfill the promise given to MotherEaswaramma, Bhagawan Baba established the first hospital at Puttaparthi in 1956. Anumber of health centres were also started. But the pinnacle was reached when on 22ndNovember 1991, the Super Speciality Hospital came into existence at Prashanthi Nilayam,to treat patients completely free of cost for various ailments related to the heart, kidneys,liver, eyes and brain.

Although succeeding in such a huge task is possible only to a divine incarnation,some Doubting Thomases might question, “If Bhagawan Baba has the power to cure alldiseases, where is the need to build hospitals for health care ?”

The all-knowing Bhagawan Baba has already given a reply to such questions bysaying, “Some people may think, if Swami can cure all diseases by His divine sankalpa,where is the need to construct such a large hospital ? If they think deeply, they will realizethat this is not the only hospital which belongs to Me; all hospitals, wherever they maybe, are Mine. I keep an eye on all of them. Any person who seeks My help, whoever itmay be, whether at home or in a hospital, praying to Me in any language, is Mine. Don’tlimit My existence to Prashanthi Nilayam. From whichever place a person prays for‘Prashanthi’ with a pure heart, that place turns into Prashanthi Nilayam.”

The truth of this statement can be confirmed through this incident which happenedin Canada. There was a family of Indian origin, who migrated to Canada. In the initialyears, they had to struggle for getting a job, setting up a home, educating the children etc.While they were still struggling, the lady of the house fell ill. She was found to havetumours all over her body. She was not in a proper emotional state to undergo surgery.Besides, the expenses for the surgery, getting leave from a new job, were some of theproblems faced by the family. It seemed as though a major calamity had struck. The ladywould constantly worry about her small children and their future, in case anything shouldhappen to her.

This lady was a devotee of Shirdi Sainath. A few years ago she had heard aboutSwami being the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai. Only recently she had been drawn towardsSwami and slowly the seed of faith had started sprouting in her heart.

And now this calamity.... The medical treatment started, but to no avail. Every dayshe used to constantly invoke Swami. Many days passed, even as the ups and downscontinued, and the fear of death was still looming over her.One night Swami came in herdream and said, “I am changing your blood.” He cast upon her a loving gracious glanceand blessed her. Next day, one of her relatives from India, who also happened to be adoctor, telephoned and suggested a new medicine which was also inexpensive. The ladystarted taking it immediately, and slowly regained her health.

The black clouds of calamity disappeared through Swami’s assurance in a dream.Not just hers, but even the family’s mental equilibrium was restored back to normal.

Here, the important factor to be noted is that all this while neither this lady nor herfamily had ever had Swami’s darshan in person!


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OM SRI SAI

ANNA VASTRA DÄYA NAMAH - (89)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who provides us with food and clothing

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord has declared,Ananyäshchintayanto MämYé Janä ParyupäsatéTeshäm NityäbhiyuktänämYoga Kshemam Vahämyaham‘To those men who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, to those ever self-

controlled, I secure for them that which is not already possessed (yoga) and preservefor them, what they already possess (kshema).’

Bhagawan Baba has been similarly looking after the welfare of His devotees. DuringHis childhood, He always gave food and clothes to any needy person who came to Hisdoor. Sometimes Mother Easwaramma used to rebuke Bala Sathya and say, “If you giveany more food to the beggars, you will not get your meal.” Sathyanarayan did not mindthis at all! He never stopped giving food & clothes to the needy.

Today Swami’s devotees from all over the world are carrying forward the samework as ‘Narayan seva’. Swami says, “If you start giving spiritual advice to a person whois starving, what is the use ? Instead feed him, appease his hunger; give him enoughclothes. This is your primary duty.” All Swami’s devotees have this ideal to follow andthey put in their best efforts in realising it.

Whenever a festival is celebrated at Prashanthi Nilayam, a ‘Narayan seva’ ismandatory. The poor and the needy, and the hard-working labourers are given food andclothes. The joyous expression on their faces and the feeling of gratitude expressed throughtheir eyes, is beyond description...

It is not just the needy alone, but when any devotee receives Swami’s prasad orHis blessings, he is overwhelmed with joy. To receive a handkerchief, which has beentouched by Swami is an indescribable feeling-whoever gets it, preserves it carefully like a“Maha Vastra”.

Here is a story from Toronto which illustrates the importance of ‘anna daan’ (feedingthe poor). An Indian lady living there was Swami’s devotee. While doing any kind ofwork she had the habit of constantly chanting His name in her mind. Once Swami camein her dream and said, “I am going to make you an “Annapoorna”. Saying this, Hedisappeared and on waking, the lady remembered the dream and wondered about itsmeaning.

The dream unfolded in a very interesting way. A few Indians living in Torontocame together and formed a “Maharashtra Mandal.” This group undertakes many culturaland social activities. In order that the activities should be well-organized, there is a workingcommittee, whose members are elected once every three years. Each person is given apost and has to take the lead in organizing any event. The elections were scheduled forthe year, in which Swami came in this lady’s dream.

When the time to choose people for the various posts drew near, there was keennessfor all other posts but that of ‘Annapoorna’ ! The other posts provided opportunities toearn respect and enjoy the festivities but the particular responsibility of “Annapoorna”

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was very strenuous. The person in charge had to arrange food for all the events organizedby the group. Even for feeding the poor, she was solely responsible. So, nobody was keento take up this position. Finally everyone decided to give the responsibility to this lady,although she was not very keen to accept it.

Swami had given her a hint about this in a dream much earlier. So she acceptedthis responsibility as His directive. She worked hard, and brought about many positivechanges and everyone lauded her work. She organized the Narayan sevas very well, withthe result that everyone was very pleased with her work. Finally, when her term came toan end, all the co-workers asked her to continue the good work permanently... which shedid. Swami again came in her dream and said, “I am very happy with the way you haveworked.” Swami’s words filled her heart with joy and she felt a sense of fulfilment.

Here is an incident from Mumbai. In 1982, Swami was once at Dharmakshetra. Hegave an interview to two doctors. When the doctors expressed their concern overmalnutrition amongst the poor, Swami gave them a recipe for protein food. The mahilavibhag of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Mumbai started preparing and distributingthis food amongst children and adults. It consists of various roasted dals, ground nuts,sesame seeds, dry ginger, cardamom and sugar. While it is being prepared, the ladiessing bhajans or do namasmarana, so the food is charged with spiritual vibrations. Evennow, this protein food is being supplied regularly, completely free of cost, to mobile créchesand several hospitals such as Nair Hospital, Cama Hospital, Tata Memorial, and the T. B.Hospital at Sewri.

Besides doing Narayan seva, Swami’s devotees also provide protein food to themalnourished children in the Adivasi districts of Maharashtra. The Sri Sathya Sai Instituteof Agriculture and Biotechnology at Aksa Mumbai has launched a nourishing proteinfood known as ‘Sri Sathya Sai Poshak Ahar’ which is given to the malnourished childrenall over Maharashtra. It has been found very effective in curing nutritional disorders andrestoring health.

The seed of Narayan seva that Swami sowed in His childhood has now grown intoa huge tree-giving succor to millions all over the world.


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OM SRI SAI

SAMSÄRA DUKHKHA KSHAYA KARÄYA NAMAH - (90)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who destroys the sufferings of this world.

In life we experience joy and sorrow, gain or loss, according to our past karma.Samarth Ramdas has said, “O mind! You alone have stored up the past, and I have tosuffer along with you.”

Swami says, “Joy and sorrow are equal- like the two scales of a balance. But mengive more importance to the sorrow, hence they find it heavier.” In spite of this, the ever-compassionate Swami constantly alleviates the suffering of those who have surrenderedto Him.

A long time ago, on hearing about the glory of the Shiva-Shakti avatar, a couplewent to Puttaparthi for Swami’s darshan. Their family had been worshippers of Shiva-Shakti since many generations. They were blessed with several interviews and becamerecipients of Swami’s love and His instruction. During one such interview Swami toldthem,”Life is full of joy and sorrow. God gives you the strength to overcome difficulties.The dark clouds of calamities come and they get dispersed through divine grace.”

At the time, they did not understand the meaning of this statement. But withineight days their adolescent son suddenly passed away. This tragic blow of fate was adisastrous calamity. Somehow they managed to hold their own and thought that onlySaimata could give them the courage to start their life afresh. So, they went to Swami.Saimata showered Her nectarine love on them and pulled them out of their sadness. Inspiteof this, the boy’s father was unable to overcome his grief, so during one of the interviews,Swami made him sit in front of Him and started singing a bhajan in His sweet, melodiousvoice,

“Nanda Kishora Navaneeta ChoraVrindavana Sanchara,Hey Shesha ShayanaHey GarudagamanaArvind Nayana Gopalana.”

The father’s name was Gopal and the son’s name was Arvind. Normally it is thedevotees who sing bhajans to please God, but here God Himself composed a bhajan andsang it to His devotee in order to alleviate his suffering. What a rare occurrance...

‘Sukha Dukhkhé Samé Krutwa, Läbhä

Lâbhow Jayâ Jayow’ - The one who accepts both joy and sorrow with the same attitude(equipoise), he always attains victory.

May Bhagawan Baba shower His grace upon all of us so that we may develop thisattitude of equipoise.


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DAY SEVEN(WEDNESDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA


CHAPTERS 91 TO 108

MANGAL ARATI

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OM SRI SAI

SARVA-ABHISHTA PRADÄYA NAMAH - (91)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who fulfills all our good desires and aspirations.

Wherever in the world there are people with good thoughts, engaged in goodwork, Bhagawan Baba fulfills all their aspirations, irrespective of whether, they are awareof Baba’s name and form, or not.

Here is an example to illustrate this fact. Smt Bharatimaiya of ‘Ambika Niketan’lives in Surat in Gujarat. Ever since her childhood, she felt intense love for Lord Krishna.After having spent ten years continuously in worship of Krishna, the Lord blessed herwith a darshan and guided her to commence worship of Shakti. Accordingly, she spentthe next ten years in worshipping Shakti. Pleased with her sincere efforts, Ambamatamanifested in front of her and gave a directive that Bharatimaiya should construct Hertemple.

To fulfill this directive of Devi Ma, Bharatimaiya collected an amount of one rupeeper person, constructed the Devi temple and installed an idol of Ambamata. Alongsidethe temple a cowshed and a Veda Pathashala to accomodate 50 students was alsoconstructed. In addition to this, several dispensaries and old peoples homes for the agedand the sick were constructed at various places. All this was done in accordance with thedirective of the Divine Mother.

Around the same time, something wondrous happened ! A message written invibhuti, appeared on a wall of the house of a Sai devotee, who lived nearby. It read,“Study the life story of Bharatimaiya.” Initially Bharatimaiya did not believe this. Butwhen she saw the constant flow of vibhuti appearing on the wall, she bowed in reverencein front of Swami and installed a photograph of His, in the shrine at her house. After this,she realized that a part of the naivedyam which she offered every day, used to disappear.It was a sign from Swami that He was accepting it !

One day, the students of the Veda Pathashala expressed a desire to go for Swami’sdarshan. Accordingly, they all came to Prashanthi Nilayam. Swami asked them to chantthe Veda mantras. He appreciated their efforts, blessed them and gifted them with clothes.He gave a darshan to Bharatimaiya in the form of Ambamata, her desired deity. Shetotally surrendered to Swami and also expressed a desire. A large hospital was beingconstructed at Surat by the Jain community and she aspired to construct a diagnosticcentre with modern facilities, attached to it. Swami blessed her and guided her to travelto U.K. and USA.

During her visit abroad, devotees of Swami residing there helped her to collect thedesired amount within two weeks, and she was able to fulfill her aspiration.

Smt Bharatimaiya believes that all this was possible only due to Bhagawan SriSathya Sai Baba’s grace-the One who fulfills all the good aspirations of His devotees.


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OM SRI SAI

KALYÄNA GUNÄYA NAMAH - (92)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Whose virtues are beneficial to humanity.

Sant Dyaneshwar says,“Shall I call Thee ‘Saguna’ (with a form) or ‘Nirguna’ (formless)?

Whether ‘Saguna’ or ‘Nirguna’,

Govinda is One and the same...”

When the formless divinity assumes a form, He incarnates as God in human form.This ‘saguna roopa’ of His comes to earth for the welfare of mankind. Bhagawan Sri SathyaSai Baba has incarnated on earth for the same purpose and is constantly engaged in thewelfare of mankind.

Bhagawan Baba says, ”I am not a ‘Nayak’ (leader), but I am a ‘Sevak’ (servitor). Iam born to serve.” And in accordance with this statement, He serves not only those whoworship Him, but serves all mankind.

Swami says, ’My life is My message’ and right from childhood, the ‘Kalyan Guna’Bhagawan Baba has been translating His words into deeds.

The little Sathya, was ever engaged in giving food and clothes to the needy; as BalaSathyanarayana, He started the ‘Pandhari Bhajan group’ and attracted not only theresidents of Puttaparthi, but also the folk from the surrounding villages. Through thisbhajan group, He inspired people to tread the path of devotion and also beckoned themto keep their homes, their surroundings and their minds clean. He taught them that thepure vibrations that are emitted through namasankirtan, keep deadly diseases away.

After the declaration of His avatarhood, He started monumental projects in thethree spheres of education, health care and drinking water supply, to fulfill the promisegiven by Him to His mother Easwaramma. The entire world is acknowledging Him andlauding these projects today. Anyone can avail of these benefits completely free of cost.

Tasks on such a mammoth scale are possible only to God Who is ‘Kalyana Gunakari’(whose virtues are beneficial). In the earlier times, when the crowds of devotees were notso large, the bhajans at Prashanthi Nilayam were held every morning and evening for aduration of one to one and a half hours. After the bhajan three aratis - (1) Päwan PurushäSaisha, (2) Om Jai Jagadish Hare and (3) Käyo Karunänidhe, were sung. After the aratis,the head priest of the temple used to hail in a loud voice, ‘Bolo, Bhagawan Sri Sathya SaiBabaji ki Jai ! Bolo, Puttaparthi Mahätma Sri Satchidananda Moorthi ki Jai !’ and all thedevotees used to repeat ‘Jai’ in a loud chorus. Later,after Swami’s mission stepped up, theduration of bhajan was reduced and Bhagawan Baba asked for only one arati to be sung.

A few years later, Swami told everyone that instead of the ‘Jai’ after the arati,everyone should say ‘Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu’ thrice and end the session with‘Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi’ - meaning thereby, let all beings in all the three worlds behappy. Let all attain peace.”

Swami has also said, “Whenever you sing to Me with a pure heart and a sacredselfless thought, I always keep My gracious glance upon you.” If a person has done agreat sacrifice during his lifetime or any good deeds in his previous births, Swami especiallyshowers His grace on him. Is it possible for anyone to survive without God’s grace?

Such benevolent thoughts can come only from the ‘Kalyäna Gunäya’ BhagawanBaba, who constantly thinks about the welfare of mankind.


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OM SRI SAI

KARMA DHWAMSINÉ NAMAH - (93)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who destroys our karmas to give us liberation from retribution in thislife.

Swami always lays emphasis on the fact that, each one must fulfill his duty withoutexpecting any rewards. One has to always suffer the consequences of good and bad karma,collected over past births. Swami says that the ‘Tyaaga roopa karma’ (sacrifice) destroysthe bondage of karma and frees us.

This story dates back to the years 1935. There lived a couple in a village calledKikkeri in Mandya District of Karnataka, who were ardent devotees of Shirdi Sainath.They had one son. When this boy was about 12 to 13 years of age, both husband and wifepassed away and the boy was orphaned. Since there was no one to look after him, he lefthome and joined a group of wandering sadhu-bairagis. He visited many places ofpilgrimage along with them.

While travelling in this manner, in 1953 he arrived at Puttaparthi. He read thetelugu letters inscribed on the arch of the main entrance ‘Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba,Prashanthi Nilayam’, and felt attracted to the word ‘Bhagawan.’ A thought crossed hismind that he should test the power of ‘this’ Bhagawan. Having spent a lot of time withsadhus, he was now familiar with Tantric Vidya. But instead of progressing on the spiritualpath, he had developed many vices in the company of the sadhus. The name of this youngman was Sri B. Halgappa and this was his first darshan of Bhagawan Baba.

A few years after his first visit to Puttaparthi Halgappa journeyed to the ashram ofSwami Shivananda at Rishikesh. He met Swami Shraddhananda and spent some time inthe ashram. During his stay he heard about Sri Sathya Sai and His visit to Rishikesh.Swami Shraddhananda told him, “Your future can become happy only with the blessingsof Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.”

Halgappa stayed at Rishikesh until Swami Shraddhananda attained samadhi. Thenhe travelled southward, and went to Puttaparthi. Once again he took Bhagawan Baba’sdarshan, but he felt that Baba completely ignored him. This was a new experience for himas he felt that sadhus and sanyasins always attracted people and got attention. He wentback confused and unsure...

A few days later when he heard that Swami was at Whitefield, he went there. Thistime Swami did not disappoint him. Along with darshan, Swami also blessed him with‘sambhashan.’ Baba told him, “Instead of wandering aimlessly, go and find a job.”

Halgappa obeyed Swami’s directive and found a job as a labourer in the sugarfactory at Pandavpura. He started attending bhajan at a devotee’s house in Mysore. Thenone day, suddenly, he lost his job. After that an intense desire to visit Puttaparthi arose inhim and he left for the ashram. When he reached the railway crossing at Penukonda, heheard Swami calling out to him from a car, which was waiting at the railway crossing.Halgappa was overjoyed. As he reached the car, Swami told him, “Go back home. Yourjob is now permanent.” Saying so, Swami placed a twenty rupee note in his hand. Halgappawas ecstatic. He spent every rupee from it on enjoyment and returned to Pandavpura.

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On reaching home, he was told his job was now permanent, at a daily wage ofrupees two. In those days this was not a small amount. But for Halgappa’s needs andvices it was not enough. He also used to get the urge to travel to Puttaparthi often, so hewas always short of funds. By and by, taking advantage of the crowds at Puttaparthi, hestarted stealing there.

Once when he had gone for Swami’s darshan, Halgappa overstayed. The moneywas over, but he had a remedy for that. He stole a devotee’s suitcase and hid it near theBanyan tree on the hillside. The devotee made a big hue and cry about his suitcase beingstolen, so Swami assured him saying, “Your suitcase will be returned to you.”

Halgappa was standing among the devotees, who were waiting for Swami’sdarshan. Sri Kasturi came to him and told him, “Go inside. Swami is waiting for you.”When Halgappa went to Baba, He rebuked him harshly with strong words and told himto return the suitcase to the devotee. As Swami manifested vibhuti for him, Halgappathought that Swami would also give some money, but this time He did not do so. As hecame out Sri Kasturi gave him enough money for the railway fare to travel back home.

Halgappa returned, but his troubles worsened. He got married, and the expensesmounted. He could not go for Swami’s darshan as and when he wanted. He had no optionbut to worship Swami’s photograph at home and cry silently in his heart.

Finally, after a long span of time he went to Puttaparthi, for Gurupournima in1963. On reaching there he heard that Swami had suffered a paralytic stroke. Sri Kasturitold him, “Swami has taken somebody’s illness upon Himself.” When Halgappa sawSwami, he wondered to himself, “Can one who is God be in a such a condition?”

Just then Swami asked for some water to drink. He drank a sip and sprinkled somewith His right hand on the affected parts of His body and in a moment, He was back tonormal and stood up. He even started giving His divine discourse. He spoke elaboratelyon the three Sai incarnations.

This incident had a deep impact on Halgappa’s mind. He thought to himself, “IfSwami is really God, tomorrow He will give me padnamaskar and blessing and then Iwill give up all my vices.”

The next day Halgappa’s thought translated into reality. Happily, he went back tohis village; but now he was a completely transformed man. In a few days, vibhuti startingfalling from Swami’s photograph in his house and amrut started oozing non-stop from aring and a pendant of Swami’s. Halgappa’s home turned into a pilgrim centre for devotees.Halgappa started an orphanage in his house and started looking after destitute children.Along with his own children, he provided education to all these destitutes and alsoinculcated good values in them. With sincere efforts in this direction, he set an examplefor others to follow.

All this came about only because Swami destroyed the bondage of Halgappa’spast karma and showered His grace on him.


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OM SRI SAI

SÄDHU MÄNASA SHOBHITÄYA NAMAH - (94)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who shines in the hearts of good people.

Bhagawan Baba is aware of each and every person in this world and is also awareof their special qualities. So when a person comes in contact with Him, Bhagawan Babaenhances his goodness, enlightens his conscience and grants salvation.

In 1962, Shri Madhavrao Dixit from Mangalore came in contact with Dr. Gadhia,who was a devotee of Sri Sathya Sai. When Dr. Gadhia informed him that Sri Sathya Saiwas a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai, Madhavrao accompanied him to Puttaparthi. Somehowhe was not ready to believe that Swami was Shirdi Sai Baba reborn. But when Bhagawannarrated in detail, the chain of incidents from Madhavrao’s life during the times of theShirdi Sai avatar, he fell at Swami’s feet.

Suddenly Swami turned to Dr. Gadhia and said, “Do you administer an injectionof insulin to him for his diabetes every day?” Dr. Gadhia replied, “Yes Swami. He hasvery high diabetes so he has to take a daily dose of 40 units of insulin.” Swami told him,“From tomorrow, stop the insulin injections.” He materialized vibhuti which was brownishin colour and asked Madhavrao to eat it in front of Him. On seeing this, Dr. Gadhia wasquite nervous because he had brought Madhavrao along with him and was worried thatstopping insulin, might prove to be fatal.

Knowing his thoughts Swami told him, “Gadhia, you don’t worry. Dixit’s end haddrawn near. But Swami has increased his life span by eight years. The reason for this isthe eight years he spent with Me during the Shirdi time. Now he can eat as many sweetsas he wants; I know he likes them.”

After a week Madhavrao’s blood sugar level was tested and found to be absolutelynormal. Then Swami asked him, “In the next 8 years, what do you wish to do?” Dixitreplied, “I would like to serve You as a gate-keeper.” Swami entrusted him with theresponsibility of looking after the Brindavan ashram. He was given a house right next tothe main gate. He served Sai for exactly eight years and finally this noble soul merged inSai.


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SARVA MATA SAMMATÄYA NAMAH - (95)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who accepts all faiths as equally true.

Bhagawan Baba says,“There is only one caste, the caste of humanity.There is only one religion, thereligion of love.

There is only one language, the language of the heart.

There is only one God and He is Omnipresent.”

Bhagawan Baba says, “Don’t give any importance to difference of opinion aboutlanguage, religion, caste or country. Develop the feeling that all are children of God. Alwaysbear the thought that there is only one God.”

Swami has always been teaching us that all religions are one and the symbol of theSri Sathya Sai Seva Organization has symbols of the five main religions inscribed on it.This is visible on the ‘Sarva Dharma Stoopa’ at Prashanthi Nilayam. Are you aware ofhow and when this stoopa came into existence ?

23rd November 1975, was the 50th birthday of Bhagawan Baba. It was the 50thyear, of the advent of the avatar on earth, for the welfare of humanity. To commemoratethis occasion, it was decided that a ‘Sarva Dharma Stoopa’ would be constructed.According to Swami’s instruction, a plan was drawn up, and the responsibility wasentrusted to Brigadier Bose. He was given a time of only 60 days, to complete the task butit was also backed by Swami’s boundless grace. It was Swami’s wish that the work becarried out only by the devotees and should not be entrusted to any contractor or labourers.It was an arduous task to carry out this work without the help of skilled labourers, but itwas made possible because of Swami’s sankalpa.

The first stage of laying the concrete was carried out by the divine lotus hands ofBhagawan Baba Himself. All the officer-bearers of the Central Office took part. The sevadal volunteers and the college students also got the opportunity to participate in thisproject and what seemed impossible at first, became possible through Bhagawan Baba’sgrace.

When the work was in progress, one night, there were heavy rains. Brigadier Bosewas very worried that all the work done so far would go waste due to the rains. Nextmorning he visited the site and to his surprise, found that it had rained all over, barringthe area around the site ! How God has control over nature!

During the inaugural ceremony, the Balvikas children sang several sacred versesfrom the Vedas, Zend Avestha, Tripitak, Bible and the Koran.

While inaugurating the 50 feet tall pillar bearing a lotus on top, Swami explainedthat the five petals of the lotus symbolized the five major religions of the world. He said,“Ishwarah Sarva Bhootänäm. God exists in all things, in all living beings. If this truth isrealized, all differences will be cast aside. Self Realization will dawn. Everything will beseen as divine.”

To all the devotees belonging to different faiths and parts of the world, who hadgathered there Swami said, “Thousands of devotees from different castes, creeds andreligions have come here from all over the world. They are all inspired by one goal. Lovebrings everyone together, it broadens the heart. All religions teach one and the samething- Love. So, no one should give any undue importance to personal differences, hate,selfishness etc. and tread the spiritual path with faith and courage.”


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SÄDHU MÄNASA PARISHODHAKÄYA NAMAH - (96)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the cleanser of the minds of all aspirants.

This is a story from the year 1962. At this time Shri P. K. Sawant, a generous andpious gentleman was the Agriculture minister of Maharashtra. He had also been appointedas the Honourable President of the Shirdi Sai Sansthan. When he heard that Shirdi Sai’sreincarnation is now well-known as Sri Sathya Sai, he got in touch with a devotee of SriSathya Sai named Shri Laxmidas Bhatia. Through him Shri Sawant met Shri MadhavDixit, the nephew of late Shri Kakasaheb Dixit and Dr. Gadhia. From all these people heheard about Swami’s leelas and His life story.

Once, Shri Sawant went to Shri Bhatia’s house to get some information on PrashanthiNilayam. He saw a long queue outside the door. Out of curiosity he enquired about it. Hewas told that Shri Bhatia’s old and trusted servant suddenly took ill and with no medicalhelp available, had been wincing in severe pain. At this juncture, Dr. Gadhia was inspiredto give him vibhuti. He took a pinch of vibhuti, invoked Swami and put it in the servant’smouth. The servant got completely cured within half an hour. When the news spread, allthe servants from the building gathered there, to get some vibhuti !

Just then Shri Sawant reached there. He started insisting that Dr. Gadhia shouldput some vibhuti in his mouth too. Initially Dr. Gadhia was hesitant. He told Shri Sawant,“I will give it in your hand, you eat it yourself.” But Shri Sawant would not agree andfinally Dr. Gadhia had to put the vibhuti in his mouth. This moment was captured by aphotographer, on his camera. He was a part of the crowd. Now, Dr. Gadhia was reallyworried. He thought that if someone showed this photograph to Swami, He might not bepleased.

However, when the photograph was given to Dr. Gadhia, he was wonderstruck.The picture showed him putting the vibhuti in Shri Sawant’s mouth and in the backgroundone could see a beam of light from Swami’s photo on the wall, reaching Mr. Sawant !

When the photograph was shown to Swami, He said, “When Dr. Gadhia wasputting the vibhuti in Sawant’s mouth, he thought to himself, ‘Will this vibhuti be aseffective as the udi from Shirdi ?’ So I had to immediately clear his doubt.”

Swami did this leela only to purify a sadhak’s heart. Later He appointed Shri Sawantas a Trust Member of the Sri Sathya Sai Trust and the President of the Prashanthi VidwanMahasabha.

We are so fortunate that God has taken a human form and is moving amongst us,taking utmost care that each and everyone of us transforms into good human beings.


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SÄDHAKA – ANUGRAHA VATA VRIKSHA

PRATISHTHÄPAKÄYA NAMAH - (97)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who has planted a banyan tree as a boon to the sadhakas.

A long time ago, Swami was once explaining to His devotees about meditation. Hesaid, “When you sit in meditation, bring His ‘roopa’ (form) in front of your eyes. Alongwith this, chant any of His names you desire most. If you do this ‘japa’ alone, withoutseeing His ‘roopa’ (form), who will respond to you? Don’t feel that I will get angry if youdo not choose Me as a ‘dhyana roopa’ for meditation. You have the freedom to choose thename and the form you desire most. All names and forms are Mine. After seeing Me orhearing Me, there is no need for you to change from the earlier name or form, that you areaccustomed to.”

Swami did not stop at this. In April 1959, He was giving a discourse on the sandsof the Chitravathi, and speaking on Buddha, the Bodhi Vriksha and a suitable place fortapasya. Suddenly He ran His hands through the sands and materialized a copper plate,about 10 to 15 inches long. There were some known and unknown syllables inscribed onit. Swami showed it to all those who were present there and said, “If this copper plate isburied under a tree and the sadhak meditates on that spot, he will progress much faster.”

On 29th June 1959, Swami buried this copper plate in the Tapovanam and planteda banyan tree on that spot. While doing so, He said, “Those yogis who have attained aspecific stage in meditation, will be mysteriously attracted to this spot.”

What could have been the reason for Swami to select a banyan tree as the ‘DhyanaVriksha’ (tree for meditation) ? Lord Shiva in His ‘Guru Roopa’ is seen seated under abanyan tree, imparting knowledge to His disciples. Maha Vishnu rests in ‘Yoga nidra’ ona banyan leaf during the ‘pralaya’ (the devastating flood) and protects all the three worlds.

Similarly our Sanathana Dharma which is a combination of several philosophiescan be compared to a banyan tree. The banyan tree has shoots emerging from its branches,which on reaching the ground, go below as the roots, thus making this tree immortal. Todate millions of sadhaks have meditated under banyan trees and have experienced yogicbliss.

This is a story from the time, after the ‘Dhyana Vriksha’ was planted. Shirdi amma(Pedda Bottu) was once going to the ‘Dhyana Vriksha’ for meditation. She saw Sri RajaReddy returning from the Tapovan. He asked Pedda Bottu, “Have you taken Swami’spermission to meditate under the banyan tree?’’ Pedda Bottu told him that she had nottaken permission, but she would do so.

Once Pedda Bottu was meditating under the ‘Dhyan Vriksha’, around the ‘BrahmaMuhurtam’ time. While in a deep meditative state, suddenly her eyes opened and shesaw an unbelievable wondrous sight. She saw several celestial nymphs moving in the skyabove the Prashanthi Mandir. Beautiful in appearance, richly adorned with flowers, theywere floating towards the east. She could clearly hear melodious musical sounds. Onseeing them, Pedda Bottu guessed that they were divine residents of the ‘Deva Loka‘ whohad come down for Swami’s darshan! Since she was a yogini, she was therefore blessedwith such a soul-stirring experience, while meditating under the holy banyan tree.


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SAKALA SAMSHAYA HARÄYA NAMAH - (98)Salutations to Sri Sai, Who removes all doubts in us and strengthens our faith.

In the 4th Chapter and the 40th verse of the Bhagavad Gita the Lord declares,Adnyashchä ShraddhänashchaSamshayätmä VinashyatiNäyam Lokosti Na ParoNa Sukham Samashayätmanäha“The ignorant, the faithless, the doubting-self goes to destruction. There is neither

this world, nor the other, nor happiness, for the doubter.”

Bhagawan Sri Krishna has thus explained in the Gita, what happens to a person,who always doubts. We are extremely fortunate to have Lord Sai Krishna among us today,Who is constantly working towards removing our doubting tendencies.

This is a story from 1959. A young man had come to Prashanthi Nilayam fromMadras (now Chennai) for Swami’s darshan. Swami called him to the first floor of thePrashanthi Mandir. It was a moonlit night. In those days, sometimes, Swami used toenjoy having moonlight dinners with His devotees. This programme was held on theterrace above the Prashanthi Mandir. (Earlier, before the expansion of the Mandir, therewas a terrace above the first floor). This young man was extremely happy for being arecipient of such grace.

When he went to meet Swami, He asked the young man to touch Him. The youthfound Swami’s body temperature very high, as in fever. Someone got a thermometer andchecked the temperature. It was 104°F. Everyone realized that Swami had high fever andthey were very concerned. But Swami was joyous as usual. He told this young man, “Inyour house in Madras, your mother was going to fall prey to a fire. While saving her, Mybody temperature rose high; that is all.” After five minutes, Swami asked for His bodytemperature to be checked again and this time it was 96°F. Everyone was relieved and thedinner programme went off smoothly.

But, the young man could not sleep all night. As he tossed and turned, only onethought troubled him. It was about his mother. ‘How is she? Has she really sufferedburns? Did Swami really go to Madras to save her? Is this true or is He making up astory?’ So on and so forth… His mind was engulfed in doubts.

Next morning he went to the post office and booked a trunk call to Madras. Inthose days telecommunication was not as efficient as today. When his mother came onthe line, he narrated the earlier night’s incident to her. After hearing him out, she couldnot control her emotions. She sobbed, as she told him, “Yesterday, while I was doingpooja in the shrine at home, my sari caught fire from the flame of the burning oil lamp. Ifrantically invoked Swami and within a few moments, miraculously the fire was put out.”She further asked her son, “How is Swami? I hope His hands did not suffer burns whilesaving me…”

After hearing this from his mother, the young man felt ashamed for having doubtedSwami. He returned to the ashram with an overpowering feeling of guilt. As he reachedthe mandir, he saw Swami waiting outside the door. Swami asked him, “What did yourmother say ? Look here, see My hands. They did not get burnt at all. Only My bodytemperature rose high; that is all.”

The young man’s doubts had been removed completely and he bowed down inreverence and touched Swami’s feet. Swami smiled gently and patted him on his back….


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SAKALA TATWA BODHAKÄYA NAMAH - (99)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who gives us the essenceof all knowledge.

One summer, Swami was in Kodaikanal. A few students, teachers and devoteesaccompanied Him. One morning, Swami told all of them, “Whoever answers My questionscorrectly, I will reward him with a special gift.”

On hearing this, everyone, especially the students got very excited. Swami thenasked “Who am I?” Most of the students answered loudly in one voice, “God”.

Swami replied “Not correct”.

One student : “Shiva Shakti Swaroopa.”

Swami : “Not correct”.

Second student : “Sri Krishna has incarnated again.”

Swami laughed and said : “Not correct”.

Another student said: “Sarva Devata Swaroopa.”

Swami once again replied, “Not correct”.

Finally everyone told Him, “Swami, please tell us who You are.”

Swami answered, “I am I”.

Initially everyone burst out into laughter. But as Swami started explaining in aserious tone, there was pindrop silence.

Swami explained, “I is the basis of everything. When you say “I am this’ or ‘I amthat’ a feeling of dwaita (duality) is expressed. ‘I am I’ expresses ‘adwaita’ (non duality).I am recognized by many names such as God, Atma, Brahman, Sri Krishna, Sri Rama,Shiva, Allah and Jesus. But this ‘I’-ness of Adwaita is the Ultimate Truth.”

Swami’s teachings reflect the essence of all knowledge. One of the many devoteesof Swami is the world famous cricketer Shri Sunil Gavaskar. Since 1970 the Gavaskarfamily has been devotees of Baba, but Sunil visited Prashanthi Nilayam for the first timeonly in 1982. After blessing him with an interview, Swami took him to the boy’s hostel.All the students had gathered in the prayer hall. Swami made Sunil sit next to Him andsaid to him. “Today is Bakri Id. So tell the students about the importance of this festival.”Sunil replied, “Swami, I have no knowledge about Islam, Koran or Bakri Id. How can Ispeak about it?” Swami told him, “You just stand in front of the mike. Everything will beall right.”

Sunil obeyed Swami’s directive and he spoke on Islam and Bakri Id for about 10 to12 minutes. His speech drew a loud applause. As he returned to his seat Swami said,“Didn’t I tell you that you will be able to speak?” Sunil only folded his hand in reverence,to Swami.

Today, after so many years Sunil, in wonder says “I really don’t remember anythingthat I spoke. It was Swami Who spoke through me!”


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YOGISHWARÄYA NAMAH - (100)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the Lord of all yogis.

On 23rd November 1926, the Shiva – Shakti Swaroopa Bhagawan Sri Sathya SaiBaba incarnated on earth. On the very next day, Yogi Aurobindo announced in his ashram,“Yesterday Lord Sri Krishna Himself has incarnated on earth in human form. He willlead all of humanity on the righteous path. In this mortal land, this power will light the‘Atma Jyoti’ in each and every heart. His voice will reach the ears of millions. Today Godhas incarnated on earth.”

Thousands of years ago, the sages Bhrigu, Agastya, Vashishtha and Shukamunihave written in great detail about Bhagawan Baba’s advent in their respective ‘NadiGranthas.’

In 1957, after the conclusion of the Divine Life Convention held at Venkatgiri, SwamiSatchidananda declared, “Sri Sathya Sai Baba is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.He is the Atma that dwells in every living being and is the embodiment of Truth, Awarenessand Bliss.” Swami Shivananda of Rishikesh and Sri Mahapurushji have accepted thesupremacy of Bhagawan Baba. Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Amrutananda who is thedisciple of Ramana Maharshi, Sri Godavarimata of Sakori, Sri Devitai, have all expressedreverential feelings about Bhagawan Baba’s greatness and divinity. The great yogirajParampoojaya Gagangiri Maharaj has spoken about Yogishwar Sri Sathya Sai Baba asfollows : “In our country from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari there are many secretplaces where many sadhus and yogis have been engrossed in severe penance overthousands of years. Even if you collect all their ‘yoga samarthya’ (spiritual yogic power),it will pale in front of Sri Sathya Sai’s effulgence.”

Devrah Baba whose physical age is over four hundred and fifty years resides at‘Tirtharaj Prayag’. This is the sacred spot where all the three sacred rivers Ganga, Yamunaand Saraswati merge. He has expressed, “Bhagawan Baba is Lord Shiva Himself. He isParabrahma Swaroopa.”

The well-known author of the world famous book ‘Yogi Kathamrut’ SwamiParamhamsa Yogananda has said, “God has incarnated on earth in South India and iswell known by the name Sai Baba.“ In the same ‘Yogi Kathamrut’, there is a reference toMahavatar Baba or Babaji whose age is over a thousand years. He says “I am familiarwith all three Shiva incarnations. I have had darshan of Shirdi Sai and I take darshan ofthe present incarnation Sri Sathya Sai. I also know about the future Prema Sai avatar.”

In this way millions of devotees from all over the world are fortunate to be blessedwith the darshan of Yogishwar Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Who is the Lord of allyogis.


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YOGINDRA VANDITÄYA NAMAH - (101)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is revered by all the masters of Yoga.

When Parampoojya Asaram Bapuji went for Bhagawan Baba’s darshan inSeptember 2004, he said, “Bhagawan Baba is Lord Sri Krishna Himself.” Many knownand unknown yogis have uttered similar words about Swami.

Bhagawan Baba says, “The celestial beings (devatas) from ‘Deva Loka’ are alsoyearning for My darshan.”

An incident which illustrates the truth of this statement was witnessed by one ofSwami’s ardent devotees, Shri Raja Reddy. This happened quite a few years ago. It wasVaikuntha Ekadashi, a day of exceptional sanctity. It is described as a glorious day, whenLord Sri Maha Vishnu gives darshan to His devotees at the northern gate of His celestialabode Vaikuntha. On that night, Shri Raja Reddy was sleeping on the verandah on thefirst floor of Prashanthi Nilayam. At about midnight, he woke up. He noticed, throughthe slightly open door of Swami’s room, an effulgent illumination. Being curious, he drewcloser and peeped through the gap between the doors. He was astonished at what hesaw... Several celestial beings were taking turns to bow down in reverence at the divinelotus feet of Bhagawan Baba. Swami was reclining on the bed and accepting their homage.Seven effulgent masses of bright light were seen around Swami’s bed. The vision startledRaja Reddy. He quickly closed the door and went back to his bed on the verandah totallystunned.

Next day he enquired with Swami about this heavenly experience. Swamiexplained, “They are all celestial beings (Devatas). They had come for My darshan. Whatyou saw as the seven masses of bright light were the ‘Saptarishis’ (the seven great Rishis).As I protect you with My blessings, you are still alive. Otherwise, the moment you setyour eyes on that scene, you would have been reduced to ashes!” Just this one incidentalone, is enough to reveal Swami’s glory.

Many great personalities representing different faiths, honour Swami. In 1968, therewas a pir named Haji Baba who lived in Nairobi. At that time he was 92 years old. He wasknown to have performed many miracles, such as controlling the five elements, healingthe sick from incurable disease etc. He used to say, “My area of work is limited to Karachi,East Africa, United Kingdom and few other countries; but Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Babaworks for the entire world. There are no limits to His work.” When he said this aboutSwami, it was the 42nd year of Baba’s advent. Today, in the 82nd year of the advent ofthis Yuga Avatar, we find that every word spoken by the pir has come true.


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SARVA MANGALA KARÄYA NAMAH - (102)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who grants all auspiciousness and prosperity

Swami says that He has incarnated on earth only for the upliftment of all mankindand true to His word, He is constantly engaged in overseeing, that each one’s life issanctified and filled with auspiciousness.

The story of the world-famous vocalist Smt. M. S. Subbalaxmi tells us about the‘Mangala Karäya Roopa’ of Bhagawan Baba. Smt. Subbalaxmi was well-known all overthe world as ‘Suswar Laxmi.’ Right from childhood, she had offered her devotion to Godthrough ‘Naad Upasana’ and she had accepted this path to lead her to liberation.

The readers will be surprised to know that this well-known singer’s life was full ofcalamity and misfortunes. Maybe this was one reason for her music being full of ‘bhaktirasa’. When she embarked upon her career, she had enacted the role of Meerabai in amovie. Her melodious voice and gifted acting abilities, were lauded in this role. Thenonwards, until her last moment, she only sang devotional songs. She donated all herearnings to charitable institutions and led a saintly life.

Smt M. S. Subbalaxmi was blessed with Swami’s first darshan in 1975 at Brindavan.With tearful eyes and intense devotion, she bowed down in reverence and placed herhead on Swami’s lotus feet. Swami said to her, “Come ! Since the past ten years you havebeen waiting for this padnamaskar; take it now !”

Why did Swami say this ? Ten years prior to this, Smt Subbalaxmi heard aboutSwami’s divinity from one of her friends. But her husband, Shri Sadashivam, was notready to believe in Swami. Just like other noble ladies, she did not go anywhere withouther husband’s permission or his company. She, therefore requested this friend to offerpranams to Swami, on her behalf, and bring prasadam for her. When her friend told thisto Swami, He said, “I know, her husband Sadhashivam is not ready to come here. Butone day he will come,” saying so, He gave prasadam for Subbalaxmi.

As per Swami’s words, that day dawned after ten long years and finally SmtSubbalaxmi and her husband arrived for Swami’s darshan. During this time, she waspassing through the most arduous phase of her life. Swami gave her padnamaskar andalso blessed her with an interview. After coming out of the interview room Smt Subbalaxmisaid, “I have been privileged to receive the bliss of Swami’s darshan in person, only as areward of my penance of several years.”

The couple were recipients of this bliss several times at Prashanthi Nilayam,Brindavan and Sunderam. Subbalaxmi recorded several bhajans of Swami in her goldenvoice. She also lent her voice to record a lyric ‘Sairam Chiluka” which was composed bySwami Himself.

Swami showered His boundless grace on her several times. In 1982 her daughterwas seriously ill. At that time Swami kept both of them in His divine presence at Brindavan,for over a month.

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When Subbalaxmi was asked the question, “How did you become a devotee ofSwami ?” With humility, she replied, “People speak about Swami’s glory and how Herescues His devotees from calamities. But as far as I am concerned, His biggest miracle isthe one, when He casts His loving and compassionate glance on you, and you experiencea peace which is indescribable. There is a sense of security one experiences in His presenceand besides that, one realizes the truth through His words, each of which is a sacredmantra ! I feel that during Kaliyug, Lord Sri Krishna has incarnated on earth to protectthe people. We are really fortunate to be living during the time when the ever-compassionate Swami has incarnated on earth.”

Once a devotee of Swami was travelling from Chennai to Puttaparthi. He askedSubbalaxmi, “Amma, tomorrow I am leaving for Prashanthi Nilayam. Do you want tosend a message for Swami?” Choked with emotion, she folded her hands before Swami’sphotographs in her house and said, “What can I say to God ? Before any desire enters myheart, He fulfills it.” A few days later, she merged with God...

Bhagawan Baba blessed Subbalaxmi and filled her life with auspiciousness. May,He also make our lives auspicious, is our heartfelt prayer at the lotus feet of ‘MangalaKaräya’ Swami.


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SARVA SIDDHI PRADÄYA NAMAH - (103)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who grants all accomplishments and skill.

‘The Dhyana Vriksha’ (meditation tree) was planted by ‘Poorna Brahma’ Swamiso that the devotees could attain ‘Poorna Avastha’ (perfection). Along with this, He alsoplanted the seed of the ‘Jnana Vriksha’ (tree of knowledge). Today this has grown into ahuge tree. Through value-education great emphasis is laid on the development of characterin students who are also accomplished in various types of knowledge and skills. Theseeducational institutes impart not only the knowledge related to ‘padartha’ (material world)but also ‘parartha’ (spirituality). Swami constantly guides the students so that instead ofjust gaining knowledge about the material world, they gain all-round knowledge andbeam it to the rest of the world. Swami is especially particular about those serving in themedical institutes, that they perform their duties to the best of their ability. The ever-increasing number of patients who come for treament at the Super-Speciality Hospitalare a proof of this.

Every year, on 11th January, the ‘Sports Day’ celebrated in Puttaparthi, is the bestexample of the expertise in physical skills, the students have perfected. The Convocationceremony held on 22nd November every year reflects upon the academic all-roundachievements of the students. All this has been made possible only because the knowledgeimparted here is not for mere living, but for life.

This kind of perfection in skills and knowledge is not just achieved by studentsthrough the Sri Sathya Sai institutes, but even devotees who have been recipients ofBhagawan Baba’s grace are known to have attained it. Scientists, doctors, economists,lawyers, educationists, artistes and sportsmen are all included in this. To cite an example,the world famous vocalist Begum Parveen Sultana says, “All the credit for my presentationon stage goes to Swami. It is only by His grace that I am able to sing so well. He taught mehow to present my talent on stage, and guided me even better than my own parents.”

Another recipient of Swami’s grace is the world-famous cricketer Mr. SunilGavaskar. Sunil is well-known for several world records and a sound batting technique.Once he was asked, “Can you narrate any one incident, where you achieved success dueto Swami’s grace?” Pat came the reply, “If Swami were not with me, I would not havebeen able to score a single run. I have no doubt about this.”


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ÄPANNIVÄRINÉ NAMAH - (104)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who removes calamities

Whenever a devotee suffers a calamity, God rushes to his rescue. Wherever hemay be, the Lord keeps a close watch on him. Whatever calamities a devotee may have tosuffer, due to his own past karma, God gives him the strength to overcome them. TheLord- God steers the devotee out of the adverse conditions and leads him to safety.

Some years ago, with Swami’s permission, a few devotees started the ‘Sri SairamCentre’ in London. Some of the residents, who were not devotees, were very impressedby the work done through this Centre. A few spiritual organizations and churches alsoexpressed keen interest to know more about the work and lectures were organized indifferent venues to this effect.

Accordingly, Dr. Gadhia, an ardent devotee of Swami, started visiting these venuesto give information about Bhagawan Baba, His life, the Mission and experiences ofdevotees. The lectures drew crowds consisting of many eager and studious people.

One such programme was organized by a Church. As Dr. Gadhia was walking outafter his lecture, a British lady came up to him and said, “My husband wishes to see you.Will you please come and meet him ?” The doctor happily gave his consent and both ofthem went to meet the gentleman in question. On seeing Dr. Gadhia, the lady’s husbandwas very happy. He said, “Doctor, you were my brother in my past life, you are one inthis present life and you will be my brother in future life too ! Do you agree with this ?”On hearing this, Dr. Gadhia replied, “You are 100% right. If we go backward through ourlineage, we will realize that ultimately we are all children of Adam and Eve or children ofone God (Generator + Operator + Destroyer). In that sense, we all are brothers.”

The gentleman was ecstatic with Dr. Gadhia’s reply. Choked with emotion, hehugged Dr. Gadhia warmly. The doctor too responded to his love with a tight hug andsuddenly something terrible happened! The man began to feel uneasy and started gaspingfor breath. He squealed, “My pacemaker is broken; call for an ambulance, hurry up !”Soon his face started turning blue.

By now Dr. Gadhia was petrified. He did not know that the gentleman’s heart wasworking with the help of a pace-maker. This was a big calamity ! He knew right away thatonly the ‘Apannivâriné‘ Swami could rescue them, so he invoked Swami with all hisheart and, clearly heard His words from within, “Put vibhuti in the mouth and draw anOm with vibhuti on his heart.” Dr. Gadhia instantly obeyed Swami’s directive and put apinch of vibhuti in the patient’s mouth and also drew an Om with vibhuti in the heartregion with his fingers.1

Within minutes, the patient miraculously recovered. His heart started beatingnormally, and that too without a pacemaker ! The colour of his face returned to normaland he shouted, “Sai Baba has restarted my heart. I had only heard about His glory, todayI have experienced it.”

Needless to say, that this person is now an ardent devotee of Swami. As for Dr.Gadhia, he was greatly relieved and thanked Baba again and again for having rescuedboth of them from a calamity.....


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OM SRI SAI

ÄRTHI HARÄYA NAMAH - (105)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who takes away physical and mental agony.

As a result of their past karma, when devotees undergo physical or mental agony,God destroys their sorrow and ultimately leads them to happiness.

Bhagawan Baba constantly ensures that his devotees do not suffer.

The Rayalseema region, being a drought-stricken area, the people there had toundergo the physical strain of walking miles in order to get drinking water daily.Naturally, they were in misery. To free them from their plight, Swami started the ‘SriSathya Sai Drinking Water Project’ and quenched their thirst. This was just the first step.To free the people of Chennai from the physical and mental agony caused due to theacute shortage of drinking water, Swami started another mammoth water project there.Many such water projects are taking shape in different parts of the country and lakhs ofpeople are now grateful to Saimata.

To free the underprivileged of this country from physical and mental agony, thisUniversal Mother, started the ‘Easwaramma Mahila Welfare Project’ on 19th November2004. In the following year it came to be called ‘Easwaramma Mahila Welfare Trust.’ ThisTrust undertakes health projects for all the needy & underprivileged women and children.Another project named ‘Easwaramma Self-Help Plan’ was launched to help the deprivedwomen to stand on their own feet. Through all these projects the distressed and needywomen have been rescued from their misery.

The following story tells us about how Swami freed a person of his mental agony.On 31st March 1973, Bhagawan Baba paid a visit to a college in Rajkot. From there, He leftfor the Jamnagar Palace. A motorcade was following Him. The Rajmata was also travellingin one of the cars. Swami’s car stopped at the main entrance of the palace. As he got out ofthe car and started walking ahead, something untoward happened. An Arab, by thename Shaikh, who was a security-guard, came forward and said to Swami, “Babaji, removeyour footwear.” Swami smiled at him, removed His slippers and walked on. It was a hotafternoon and Swami walked barefeet with the members of the Welcome Committee toaccept the Guard of Honour.

When the Rajamata got off from her car, she heard about this incident. Apalledand holding His slippers in her hands she hurriedly ran towards Swami. But, by then, Hehad already gone ahead, walking barefeet on the hot sands, to accept the Guard of Honour.Generally, Swami never wears footwear on His divine lotus feet. But since the weatherconditions in this area were severely hot, someone had requested Him to do so.

When Baba returned to the palace, He saw the Rajmata scolding Shaikh in harshwords. Shaikh sorrowfully, hung his head down, with tears in his eyes. As soon as hesaw Baba, he came forward to apologise. At that time, Swami said to the Rajmata, “It isnot his fault. You had asked him to ensure that everyone removes their footwear. You didnot tell him that I should be excluded. In fact, I appreciate his honesty and sense of duty.”Saying this, Swami lovingly patted Shaikh on his back. The next moment He materializeda greenish-grey talisman, of about one inch, in size. It had the letters from the Holy Koraninscribed on it. Swami gave the talisman to Shaikh and in a moment his mental agonywas changed into joy!

May we all be freed from our mental and physical sorrow through Swami’s grace.This is our heartfelt prayer at His divine lotus feet.


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OM SRI SAI

SHÄNTA MOORTAYÉ NAMAH - (106)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is the personification of peace.

When ‘Shânta Moorthi’ Swami was asked a question, “During the ShirdiIncarnation, You lost Your temper easily, but now You are an embodiment of peace. Howcome?” Swami replied, “When a mother is cooking, and her child comes in the way, shescolds him; but while feeding the same child, she never loses her temper.”

In the sacred text named ‘Brahma Nadi’, which was written a few thousand yearsago, there is a significant mention about Sri Sathya Sai avatar. It says, “Sri Sathyanarayanamay seem like an ordinary human being, but He will be the Shiva-Shakti incarnate andan incarnation of Shirdi Sai. Peaceful by nature, this divine being will reside in the Parthivillage on the banks of Chitravathi, in an abode of peace.”

Today, we are all experiencing the truth of that prediciton. The abode of peacedescribed here is Prashanthi Nilayam. Today devotees from all over the world, thronghere to attain peace.

As a young child, Sathya had to stay away from home to pursue education. Hispaternal aunt tortured Him physically, in many ways. But He did not hold this againsther. In fact, when this same aunt became an invalid due to old age, Swami had her broughtover to Prashanthi Nilayam, provided her a helper and looked after her lovingly.

Once as small child, when Swami was sitting on a chair, a relative of His scornfullytold Him, “Are you deserving to sit in a chair?” Bala Sathya got off from the chair andcalmly said, “One day I shall sit on a golden throne...” and today we have all witnessedthat! Swami of course, is not keen about all this, but He allows it only to make His devoteeshappy. Otherwise, what Swami really likes is the devotee’s pure and sacred heart; this isthe throne He likes to be seated upon.

‘Love all, serve all’ is the message given by ‘Shânta Moorti’ Sai to the entire world.We can hear His footprints only in the depths of silence, so all of us must strive to bepeaceful and follow His philosophy of ‘Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema’, to become a partof His Divine Mission.


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OM SRI SAI

SULABHA PRASANNÄYA NAMAH - (107)

Salutations to Sri Sai, Who is easy to please.

Bhagawan Baba is ‘Shiva Shakti Swaroopa’. Lord Shiva is known as ‘Bhole Bhandari’and Mother Parvati is the Ever – Compassionate One. When these two have merged asOne Sai, He becomes our beloved father, mother, brother and friend. He is ever-compassionate and easily pleased by His devotees.

Here is an amusing story narrated by Bhagawan Baba Himself. Once Shiva andParvati were roaming in the sky. They heard the bewailing of a person. The compassionateMother Parvati looked below and saw a man hanging from a tree on the edge of a hill. Asthe branch was about to break, he was bewailing. Mother Parvati said to Lord Shiva, “OhBhole Bhandari! I feel that you should save this man.” Lord Shankara replied. “You arethe Universal Mother. Why don’t you save him?” Shiva then suggested to her, “When thebranch breaks, if the man calls out ‘Appa’, I will save him, and if he calls out ‘Amma’, youshould save him.” In a moment, the branch broke and while falling the man shoutedaloud, ‘Ayyayo!’, remembering neither appa or amma!

While crossing this turbulent sea of life, we all have to encounter difficulties. Forovercoming them, Swami has given us the easiest way. He says that amongst the nineforms of devotion, the best one for Kaliyuga is ‘smaranam’. One should constantly chantthe name of God. This does not have any limitations of place or time. If anyone keeps Hisform in front of his eyes and chants His name incessantly with one-pointed devotion, theperson is easily able to please God and can weather any calamity. Swami says, “Godexists in each and every being, in this animate and inanimate world. Realize this truthand serve Him. This is the only way to please God and attain Him.”


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OM SRI SAI

BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BÄBÄYA NAMAH - (108)My humble salutations to Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Bhagawan Baba says, “Bhagawan means the Creator, the Nourisher and the OneWho enlightens the entire world.” Bhagawan also means the One who has the six qualitiesof ‘Eishwarya’ (wealth), ‘Dharma’ (righteousness), ‘Yashas’ (success), ‘Sri’ (respect), ‘Jnana’(knowledge) and ‘Vairagya’ (detachment).

Bharat is the scared land of yogis, saints, righteous souls and the land of sacrifice.Avatars have periodically taken birth here in answer to the earnest prayers of yogis,spiritual aspirants, saints and devotees, who constantly yearn for divine proximity. God,the ever-compassionate and gracious, takes human form and moves amongst His devoteesto grant them bliss.

The reason why the Lord God chooses the land of Bharat for His advent is –Bha = Bhava (emotion)Ra = Raaga (music)Ta = Taal (Rhythm)Bharat symbolises all these three. This is the land where God’s glory is constantly

sung with ‘Bhava, raaga and taal.’Bharat is also known as ‘Hindu Desh’.Hin = Hinsa (violence)Du = Dooratwa (away from)This is the land which stays away from violence. This is why the Lord God has

chosen Bharat as the place for His advent.We are extremely fortunate that in response to our heartfelt prayers, God has

incarnated in India as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Born in the Bharadwaj tradition,Ratnakara lineage and Raju family, Bhagawan Baba is the refuge of millions from all overthe world. Prior to His birth, He had given several hints about His advent through manymiracles. Since His birth, the ‘Ananda Roopa’ Bhagawan Baba has only granted ‘ananda’to all. Although He is the Lord God Himself, instead of a ‘nayak’ (leader), He has chosenthe role of a ‘sevak’ (servitor). He constantly tells us ‘My life is My message’ and exhortsus to follow His life. He loves all and expects only love in return. Right since His childhood,He has blessed many devotees by giving them darshan of and as their desired deity. Tosome He has also granted the ‘Vishwaroopa darshan’. Today people from many countriesthe world over, worship Bhagawan Baba. While taking forward His mission, He clearlytells us, “I have not come to establish a new religion. Everyone should abide by their ownfaith and follow the path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa to attain divinity.I have taken birth for the upliftment of all mankind.”

During the previous divine incarnations, it was very difficult for any, but a fewdevotees to attain proximity to them. Besides, humanity realised the importance of theseincarnations and their divine mission only after they left the earthly plane. We areextremely fortunate that it is possible for all of us to attain close proximity to the presentincarnation Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, during His lifetime. Swami always tells us,“Do not have blind faith in Me. Come, examine, experience and then have faith in Me.”

May all of us develop in our hearts a firm, unshakeable faith in Bhagawan Baba.We pray at His divine lotus feet to grant us the good fortune to rest in the shade of blessingsof ‘Sri Sathya Sai Kalpadruma’.


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DAY EIGHT(THURSDAY)

MÄNAS POOJA

MANGAL ARATI

NARAYAN SEVA

(END OF RECITATION OF

SRI SATHYA SAI KALPADRUMA)

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MANGAL ARATI

Om Jai Jagadeesha Hare, Swami Sathya Sai Hare,Bhakta Janä SamrakshakaBhakta Janä SamrakshakaParthi Maheshwarä !Om Jai Jagadeesha Hare ....

Shashi Vadanä Srikarä,Sarva Pränapate, Swami Sarva Pränapate,Äshrita Kalpa Latikä, Äshrita Kalpa Latikä,Äpad Bändhavä !Om Jai Jagadeesha Hare ....

Mäta Pitä Guru Daivamu,Mari Antayu Nive, Swami Mari Antayu Nive,Näda Brahma Jagannäthä, Näda Brahma Jagannäthä,Nägendra Shayanä !Om Jai Jagadeesha Hare ....

Omkara – Roopa OjaswiOm Sai Mahädevä, Sathya Sai Mahädevä,Mangal Arati Anduko, Mangal Arati AndukoMandar GiridhariOm Jai Jagadeesha Hare ....

Näräyana Näräyana Om SathyaNäräyana Näräyana Näräyana OmNäräyana Näräyana Om SathyaNäräyana Näräyana Om SathyaNäräyana Näräyana OmOm Jai Sadguru Deva !

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIHI

LOKAH SAMASTA SUKHINO BHAVANTUOM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIHI

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DIVINE MESSAGE

Don’t go by the rules of thebook. Has Panini’s grammar everhelped anyone to attain SelfRealization ?

Write from your heart, onlythen will the book touch the heartsof the devotees. Let the Kavi in youstring the verses in a garland offragrant flowers.

I have sent this task to you, sothat the best will be beamed to theworld; for you will be Myinstrument.

You hold the pen and I will penthe words....

sri sathya sai kalpadruma

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