"When
He wills a journey by road He loads the car with hampers heavy with
breakfast, lunch or dinner, besides snacks and fruits in plenty. He
scans the countryside to spot a sheltered nook encircled by blossoms
and He finds one soon. The carpet is spread, jugs of water are
brought, hampers are opened, baskets are emptied, plates and cups
are handed out. Mother Sai squats in the center. With exclamations
of appreciation, He places each item of food on the plates held
before Him by us - the children. Devotees dare not say 'Enough' or
'No' on the basis of their digestive efficiency, allergic alarm,
dietary prejudices, etc. They relish whatever comes from the Divine
Hand and consume the quantity He grants. So, Baba decides the
measure and the menu for each. He prohibits, persuades and
recommends. "You have a touch of diabetes", " you are over eighty",
"This pickle is popular in your state", He comments as He fills the
plates.Bhagawan too shares the breakfast or lunch with us; He loves
to watch us enjoying the food He gives. Even while inside the car,
He takes out one by one-luscious apples from the bag He keeps near
Him, slicing them with care; He tempts us to eat in plenty. Once ..
The skin could not be chewed and swallowed by me since I had a set
of artificial teeth unused to tough tasks. I dared not to spit the
stuff through the window for fear the denture would follow the skin.
Swami recognised the embarrassment, the next slice He handed over to
me had the skin removed!"
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On another occasion Baba and a few others
were traveling by car from Trichinopoly to Bangalore via Palamaner.
On reaching the Forest Rest House at Palamaner at 10 in the night
the party had to be satisfied with food from a hotel, which had not
yet closed luckily. But there was nothing to protect them from
biting cold. Kasturiji says, "We were able to persuade Him to use a
shawl which the engineer-devotee was parading his torso at
Trichinopoly. Sleep stole into our eyes in the silence. When I woke
at dawn from my bare reed-mat, I found the shawl keeping me warm
from head to foot. Baba, the mother, had tiptoed during my sleep and
gently spread it over me. Baba found me in tears. How else could I
express my good fortune and my gratitude at the lesson He taught
us?"
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When Swami visited Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) in
1982 a plane was chartered for His return journey to Bangalore via
Jamnagar. A retired Wing Commander of Indian Air Force was requested
by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of Madhya Pradesh to pilot
the aircraft. There were seven others in the plane other than
Bhagawan and the pilot. During the flight Bhagawan took seat in the
cockpit and, peeling an orange Himself, started giving petal after
petal to the Pilot with great love. But the pilot after one or two
politely declined more in the usual way of courtesy, for he did not
realise the stature of the Giver at that time - an action he
repented for with moistened eyes thereafter. Bhagawan also
graciously created a gold ring with nine precious gems studded on it
as a memento for him - a priceless possession for anyone.
When sick or injured, His loving care has a feather touch. During
the African tour of 1969 the car in which Kasturiji and Raja Reddy
were traveling met with a small accident and Kasturiji was injured
with minor wounds. In his inimitable style he says:
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"The East Africa tour enabled me to secure two
priceless gifts of Grace. The first was a car accident in which I
received a few injuries, which drew on me for full seven days the
shower of tender affection from Sai, the Mother. I had long
cherished a desire to be nursed through an illness by Swami. The
African continent conferred that boon on me."
It is not that He showers His motherly affection only on the
devotees around Him. Time, space and distance cannot come in the way
of His compassion or motherly concern. The author of Anyatha Saranam
Nasti narrates an incident: "One night He was lying on his bed and
was talking to us, when He suddenly fell down. His body looked like
a small bundle that was twisted and tangled. After some time. He was
in great pain . He was still in some world . He opened His eyes and
asked a devotee to massage His body. Baba then said :"A lady was in
labour. I just made a trip to America. The baby in the womb was in
breach position and could not come out. I entered the womb, turned
the baby into the correct position, blessed the child and the mother
after delivery and now I have come back."
RESPONSIBLE FATHER
Sai as Father is a strict disciplinarian. He brooks no mercy for
those who cross the limit He has prescribed whether it is in the Sai
Organisation or among general devotees.
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"Following My instructions without demur is
the best plan while engaged in service or Seva; it is wrong to yield
to lower craving or to follow one's own impetuosity. I dislike
flippant talk, frivolous prattle, casual conversation and even face
to face grouping of men and women, at all times and, more specially
during spiritual gatherings and occasions. You must be models of
straight and courteous behavior." Baba directs.
Many so-called 'close devotees' had to leave the Mandir at short
notices whenever they crossed the Lakshman Rekha marked by Him. But
He will never have any ill will towards them. All that He wants is
to make them look inward and correct themselves for their own good.
Kasturiji admits of a bad habit he had had of using frequently the
expletive 'idiot' for expressing displeasure even without much of a
provocation. Baba once admonished him rather harshly "Don't cause
injury to anyone's self-respect, intentionally or unintentionally"
and this practice was virtually erased.
As Father Sai He grooms His devotees far and near. During a halt at
the residence of one of the devotees, a young man in the group asked
the host for a glass of buttermilk. Baba unexpectedly entered the
room detected the empty glass on the sill of the window. With
patriarchal authority he pointed out the mistake, as it must have
caused inconvenience to the host and advised all to be satisfied
with whatever was given or served and to keep our urges under check.
He also gave tips on table manners and insisted on the need to
desist from asking for second helpings.
In order to discourage and dissuade His devotees from carrying on
with certain bad addictions that have assumed chronic proportions
over a period of years Baba sometimes expresses His displeasure
about it in general terms within their hearing as the first dose of
treatment. If they do not give up such bad habits with such oblique
references then He will directly deal with them.
Kasturiji was a snuff addict for three decades when he traveled with
Baba to Rishikesh and other places of great spiritual importance. So
he had stored enough of that stuff that would suffice for
considerable period. One night while camping at the Ashram of Swami
Sivananda, Baba came out of His cottage in the Ashram complex and
straightaway walked into the dormitory where Kasturiji and five
others were preparing for sleep. Swami Sadananda and Satchidananda
accompanied him. Baba came near Kasturiji's cot and turned the
pillow over to expose the snuffbox. Baba looked at him sternly and
said only one word "Dirty". Kasturiji in great remorse and
embarrassment took it and threw it away, and touching Baba's feet
assured Him "No more Swami, I am giving it up from this moment". The
immediate reward was a soft pat. The harshness or roughness of Baba
intended to correct anyone at all times has an undercurrent of
perpetual love which makes an everlasting impact on the corrected.
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SAI MAHAVAKYAS
The Proper Study of Mankind is Man
Man is the basic unit of Mankind. So it follows that he should be
the epitome of the ideals that mankind stands for. How can man
epitomize mankind? By spontaneously revealing the divine qualities
of Love, Compassion and forbearance in perfect harmony in his
thought, word and deed. In other words he should be a perfect
example of his species.
Work is Worship, Duty is God
Any work undertaken with dedication and selflessness ie, without any
expectation of reward becomes worship when it is offered to the Lord
as an offering. All work is God's work. When one belongs to God how
can his work belong to another? When one discharges his
responsibility with a sense of commitment to one's own Self - the
God seated in every heart that performance becomes verily God.
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Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man
Humanity has to be seen as a single race. Just as a beautiful
garland is made up of flowers of various hues size and fragrance
strung together the human race is also made up of men and women of
different complexion and languages. Again, just as a garland is
strung together by one thread, which is common to all flowers, the
human beings also have the same Atma or life force as the core. This
obviously means that a common binds all humans on the face of earth
bond and therefore are brothers, east or west, black or white. This
common factor called Atma has its origin in Brahma or Brahman or
God. Hence, the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.
Hands in Society Heads in the Forest
Here hands stand for service and head for mind of the humans.
Service to society is the bounden duty of everyone. And such service
(Seva) has to be done selflessly, without expectation of any gain or
reward. In other words, it has to be done with complete detachment.
If the hands are to be engaged in Seva in a spirit of detachment and
disinterestedness the mind should be completely free from desires.
Freedom from desires means cultivation of Vairagya (detachment).
Forest stands for Vairagya and head for the mind, which has to be
cleansed of desires that cause attachment and selfishness. When the
mind is thus cleansed the individual can do any amount of Seva
selflessly for the welfare of society.
My Life is My Message
Preaching is easy; but to practice the same is difficult. For this
Bhagawan Baba refers to a Drill Master for example. While all other
teachers only teach the Drill Master demonstrates also what he
instructs the students. Man must put into practice what he professes
himself first. Then only he has the right to advise others. Bhagawan
Baba lives every syllable of what He preaches to His devotees from
daybreak to dusk. So, such an ideal life becomes a practical lesson
and therefore a deep-going Message to His followers who need only
remember what He does throughout the day.
Miracles are My visiting cards
What is natural with the Miraculous is miracle for the ordinary. Man
cannot easily identify or recognise Divinity as he is enveloped in
Maya or ignorance. He has to be woken up and told of the Advent of
an Avatar who has come for His upliftment. Hence just as many of us
present our identity card or visiting card to a stranger the Lord
has to draw our attention to the Superhuman Power of the Avatar so
that we would listen to Him. It is like a call attention notice.
Once the identity is established, He can convey His Message. But He
has not to make any special effort for this, as what He does
naturally and spontaneously will look miraculous to us.
You cannot always oblige, but
can speak obligingly
This applies both to the material and the spiritual world. One
cannot be in society without mutual help and societal obligations.
But very often one may not able to extend help in solving the
problems of a brother or a sister because of personal limitations.
In such cases one must, without losing balance, explain the position
in an understanding way so that the one in need will be able to
appreciate it. Such a situation often occurs while undertaking Seva
activities by the Sevadal. Where discipline does not permit you to
comply with somebody's seemingly genuine request, one has to
convincingly explain the position in minimum words so that the other
party will feel satisfied and properly attended. Soft, short and
sensible talk satisfies everyone.
Hands that serve are holier than lips that
pray
What is the use of spending long hours in prayers and meditation
behind closed door when one's neighbour is helplessly groaning in
pain? Such prayers will certainly fail to be responded by the Lord.
What is expected of a human being is to leave the prayers and rush
to attend to the one in pain. It amounts to the God in you rushing
to the help of the God in that person, since Manava Seva is Madhava
Seva. That is how one should visualise God - the God in everyone.
Wiping a tear or rendering help to alleviate the misery of a brother
is much holier that reading the scriptures or repeating Vedic
mantras as the former is a selfless act while the latter is a
selfish one.
The end of education is character; the end of
knowledge is wisdom
When the knowledge acquired by reading and studying is analysed and
pondered upon it develops into wisdom, granting an inner vision. The
same knowledge can be converted into skill by its practical
application. For example, values are understood and stored in memory
as knowledge, but when applied in daily life it becomes a skill in
the service to society. And the spontaneity of their application
brings refinement in an individual resulting in good character,
which really is the end of education.
Money comes and goes, Morality comes and
grows
Money is known for the evanescence. It appears and disappears like a
cloud. It never stays with anyone for all times. Still it can easily
ensnare man in its web, as without it one cannot exist. But enamored
by its glow and the comfort it offers man thinks that it has come to
stay. But like passing clouds it disappears leaving its possess or
still under illusion as he tries to obtain it more and more by fair
or unfair means. In direct contrast is morality. Once one begins to
adhere to the moral principles they permeate his life in every field
of activity. Every exercise of its application gives a boost to its
luster and growth with the result morality becomes ingrained in its
votary as a permanent asset.
Help Ever Hurt Never
This is the quintessence of the eighteen puranas authored by the
great Vyasa. Every being is a spark of the Divine that accounts for
the totality of this universe. Hence there is an unseen bond between
human beings. So, helping another would mean helping oneself. It
becomes the bounden duty of all to help each other. Conversely it is
a sin to harm anyone. It amounts to harming oneself. 'Paropakaraya
Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam', it is said. That is, it is meritorious
to help others, but it is a sin to harm anyone. Under no
circumstances one should think of harming another - in thought, word
and deed. Hurt is not inflicted only bodily; it can be by harsh
words as well. The wound caused by words cannot be healed, as it
remains etched in the mind forever. Hence, one should never hurt
another even if one cannot offer any help.
Love All Serve All
Only when one loves all, one can serve all, i.e., offer service
without any discrimination. One who loves you is bound to be loved
in return normally. But what is important and expected of us is to
love the one who does not love us. This needs the awareness that
there is a bond between all of us and the dislike is only
superficial and momentary. All are embodiments of the same Atma and
hence related inseparably. It is this awareness that underlies the
urge to offer selfless service to one and all without any
consideration of separateness based on any distinction. Offering
help to another amounts to serving oneself. Because, by doing so one
is only relieving oneself of the pain or discomfort that has
afflicted him at the sight of the suffering of the other. In fact,
only the body sheaths are different, the core is one and the same.
Life is a Game Play It
Victory and defeat are the duality natural with any game and life is
no exception. But as one takes it in a spirit of sportsmanship in
the case of a game, in life too, the ups and downs should be
welcomed with equanimity. But the possibility of victory can be
worked up in the case of the game of life by selecting better and
more powerful teammates. In life the fight is between the good six
and the evil six. No doubt the evil six, namely, lust, anger, greed,
attachment, pride, and jealousy are highly skilled ones. But, the
good six, namely, truth, righteousness, peace, love, non-violence
and sacrifice always have an edge over the opponents because of
their inherent virtue. So, life can be steered to success provided
our teammates are the good or the desirable six.
Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya
Devo Bhava
These Vedic injunctions virtually provide the pillars of Indian
Culture. Bharat considers mother as the first God to be revered, as
she is the one whose care and sacrifice are responsible for our
birth and growth. It is on the lap of the mother that one learns the
alphabets and the basics of one's conduct. It is she who teaches the
child to walk and talk and the fundamentals of social life.
Naturally she deserves the first place of reverence and adoration.
She tells the child of its father, who, as provider of wherewithal
for the family, occupies only second place in the hierarchy of
veneration. The father in turn takes the child to the Guru or
Preceptor who trains him in morals, ethics and the scriptures for a
meaningful life. And it is the Guru who tells him about God and his
relationship with the Almighty. So mother first, father next,
preceptor later and God last and Ultimate - that is the order of
reverence expected to be offered by everyone.
Praying Hearts, Serving Hands
Every human heart is a temple. And in the altar of the temple is
seated the Lord, the source of Love Energy that sustains the
individual. It is not love alone that is housed there. Compassion,
patience and forbearance also find a place there. In fact, heart is
the origin of these divine qualities that charge human feelings with
a sense of sacrifice, prompted by which the hands go out into action
of charity and help to alleviate the sufferings of our brethren.
Wherever and whenever selfless service is offered a heart filled
with compassion and love must be behind that service. And for the
Lord seated therein their prayerful offerings are the unfading
flowers of Love, Compassion, Forbearance and Sacrifice.
Character is the Most Precious Gift of
Education
Bhagawan Baba repeatedly tell all His devotees in general and
students in particular that 'if wealth is lost nothing is lost; if
health is lost something is lost; and if character is lost
everything is lost.' Character constitutes ninety per cent of a
man's personality whether it be in the field of social life or
leadership. And it is the function of Education to bring refinement
in an individual making all the facets of his personality shine
providing him an impressive (not only physical) personality.
Wherefrom can the shine come for a good personality? It is by the
harmonious blend of the five human values that lie embedded in every
individual. So the purpose of education is to bring out those
sterling qualities that alone can gift good character - the hallmark
of true education. Swami calls this process 'edcuare' i.e., an
education that takes care of the innate basic qualities, which are
divine in content but lying hidden in an individual. And that is the
most precious gift of
education.
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Example, Not Precept is the best Teaching Aid
'Example is better than Precept' is an old adage that conveys more
than what it looks to imply. While discussing pedagogy, Bhagawan
Baba often mentions the example of a Drill Master who not only
instructs but physically demonstrates also. If the teacher is an
ideal person, fifty per cent of teaching can be presumed to have
been done. The young students whose eyes and ears are wide open,
observes their teacher from all angles - how he looks, how he
behaves, not only in the class but even outside. This total
impression makes a strong background for teaching. If the teacher
maintains lofty ideals, his exhortation goes deep into the hearts
and minds of the young ones. He will be adored and emulated. And,
that exactly is the purpose of teaching. It is not to doll out what
is written in the book that a teacher is meant for. He has to set an
example before the young ones. In other words he has to be the
embodiment of virtues rendering his designation meaningful.
On Himself
"I have come not to disturb or destroy any faith. But to confirm,
each one in his own faith, so that a Christian be a better
Christian; a Muslim be a better Muslim; a Hindu be a better Hindu "
In truth, you cannot understand the nature of My Reality either
today, or even after a thousand years of steady austerity or ardent
inquiry even if all mankind joins in that effort. But in a short
time, you will become cognisant of the bliss showered by the Divine
Principle, which has taken upon itself this sacred body and this
sacred name. Your good fortune, which will provide you this chance,
is greater than what was available for anchorites, monks, sages,
saints and even personalities embodying facets of Divine Glory!
Since I move about with you, eat like you, and talk with you, you
are deluded into the belief that this is but an instance of common
humanity. Be warned against this mistake. I am also deluding you by
My singing with you, talking with you, and engaging Myself in
activities with you. But any moment, My Divinity may be revealed to
you; you have to be ready, prepared for the moment. Since Divinity
is enveloped by humanness you must endeavor to overcome the Maya
(delusion) that hides it from your eyes.
This is a human form in which every Divine entity, every Divine
Principle, that is to say, all the Names and Forms ascribed by man
to God, are manifest! Do not allow doubt to distract you; if you
only install, in the altar of your heart, steady faith in My
Divinity, you can win a Vision of My Reality. Instead, if you swing
like the pendulum of a clock, one moment devotion, another moment,
disbelief, you can never succeed in comprehending the Truth and win
that Bliss. You are very fortunate that you have a chance to
experience the bliss of the vision of the sarvadhaivathwa swaruupam
(the embodiment of all forms of Divinity) now, in this life itself.
Let Me draw your attention to another fact. On previous occasions
when God incarnated on earth, the bliss of recognising Him in the
incarnation was vouchsafed only after the physical embodiment had
left the world, in spite of plenty of patent evidences of His Grace.
And the loyalty and devotion they commanded from men arose through
fear and awe, at their superhuman powers and skills, or at their
imperial and penal authority. But ponder a moment on this Sathya Sai
Manifestation; in this age of rampant materialism, aggressive
disbelief and irreverence, what is it that brings to It the
adoration of millions from all over the world? You will be convinced
that the basic reason for this is the fact that this is the
Supra-worldly Divinity in Human form.
Again, how fortunate you are that you can witness all the countries
of the world paying homage to Bharath; you can hear adoration to
Sathya Sai's Name reverberating throughout the world, even while
this body is existing-not at some future date, but when it is with
you, before you. And again, you can witness very soon the
restoration of Sanathana Dharma to its genuine and natural status,
the Dharma laid down in the Vedas for the good of all the peoples of
the world. The revival of Vedic Dharma is Sai Sankalpa (Sai's Will),
not just drawing people towards Me, attracting them by the
manifestation of My powers and potential. This is not a phenomenon
of illusion. This phenomenon is the one that will uphold truth,
uproot untruth, and in that victory make all of you exult in
ecstasy. This is the Sai Sankalpam {Sai's Will}."
Prof _ N Kasturi.
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