THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE !!!!

SOULJOURNS - A SAI COUPLE - SUNDER & MAYA IYER- LESSONS FROM BEING BABA'S PERSONAL ATTENDANT

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai baba - 89th Birthday celebrations

89th Birthday Celebrations - Morning Programme - 23 Nov 2014

89th Birthday Celebrations - Evening Programme - 23 Nov 2014

Swami's Assurance

I wait outside the door of your shrine room, listening to the prayers you address to Me from the depths of your hearts so that I may fulfill them. When you cry, "O Lord, have You no eyes to see?" My eyes are there to see ! When you supplicate, "Lord, have you no ears to hear this cry?" My ears are there to hear ! When you call in despair lamenting over misery, My Feet are there for you to hold.

--Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba - Darshan in Ooty

Sri Sathya Sai - The God of small things - Aravind

Sri Sathya Sai - The God of small things by Aravindb1982 on Mixcloud

NA PUNYAM NA PAPAM

MARKS OF KALABHAM, THE SANDALS PASTE

 

Those were the days, when Swami was living in the Prashanthi Mandiram. Some structural works were being undertaken on terrace of the Mandiram, including providing metal posts, to mount Kalasams over the Gopurams. Couple of seva dals were on duty on the terrace; one of them being myself. We were supposed to be very alert, since the work spot happened to be Swami’s residence.
The welders were busy welding some structural materials. The catch up with the canteen timings, we took turns and finished our lunch. It was nearing noon time. Swami climbed up to the terrace, and smilingly approached us. He asked us in Tamil, “Petrol Pottaachaa?” , meaning thereby, have you loaded petrol. This is the way of Swami to ask whether you had taken your food. With all humility we replied that we had finished our lunch.
Suddenly asked us, what about these workers”? We could not say anything. Smilingly, Swami turned around and waved at the entrance point of the terrace. Few students appeared with vessels filled with food items. Swami directed the welders to sit on a side, and asked the boys to lay the leaves, for serving food . The welders were taken aback and were in tears. One of them fell at Swami’s Feet, and hugged on the legs of Swami. He was crying. Swami patted them on their back. They were given water and soap to wash their hands. As they sat near the leaves, Swami Himself took one of the vessels and started serving to these workers. One after the other, Sambar rice, curd rice, and vegetable were also served by Swami Himself. As they were eating with wet eyes, Swami looked at them with all compassion and starting moving back.

One of the boys told Swami that Swami’s Robe had been spoiled with oily stains from the hands of welder. Swami smilingly told, 
“DO NOT THINK THESE ARE OILY STAINS. FOR ME THESE ARE MARKS OF KALABHAMU, THE SANDALS PASTE, OFFERED WITH LOVE AND DEVOTION”

-With Love & Regards, Mumbai Srinivasan

The Camera and the Film

 

Nagamani Poornima was a regular visitor during Old Mandir days. She recalls an event. In her own words:
We were having nice time with Swami in the old Mandir. My husband wanted to leave for Bangalore and I had to start, before dawn. Seeing my plight, a photographer who was there, assured me that he would take a snap of Swami and send my camera with the film, to me through my servant, whom we left behind in Puttaparthi.
When the servant came to Bangalore, he brought the camera, but it was empty! He said the man who had clicked the photo, refused to hand over the film. He said he would send it after developing it, from Madras! I wrote him two letters but, he replied that he had sent the camera, with the film! In my despair, I asked Swami about it. Swami said, `The film is with the photographer, at Madras; and the picture has come out well; I shall get it for you!’
During Dasara in 1945, I was in Puttaparthi. As usual, I took out my camera, to take a picture of Baba. I was trying to load a new film roll a friend told me that it was already loaded! I was surprised at this; we took it out and found it was a used one! When it was developed at Bangalore, it was found to be the one which was with the photographer at Madras! I remember, swami saying, “I shall get it for you.” How it came from Madras into my camera is known only to Swami.”

-- By Sri Mumbai Srinivasan

Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

The beginnings of a magical connection

It was way back in 1997 that the connection between the Little Master and his ‘little’ Master was forged. It happened via another little master and cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar. Sachin considers Sunil Gavaskar as his mentor and guide in ways more than one and it almost seemed like a play of destiny that Gavaskar brought Sachin to his Lord and Master, Sri Sathya Sai. The way Sunil Gavaskar became a staunch devotee and follower of Baba is an altogether different story, with its own thrilling narrative. It would suffice here to say that Sunil Gavaskar, by then, was convinced that Swami was the Lord of his life and he felt that the least service he could do to his favourite cricketer was to get him also to Swami and let him experience divinity.

The magical meeting and connection happened towards the end of 1997 when, out of the blue, Swami told two champion cricketer-devotees, Sunil Gavaskar and Erapalli Prasanna, to arrange an international cricket match in Puttaparthi! What seemed as a nearly impossible proposition indeed, happened on the 27th of December when the Indian XI led by Sachin Tendulkar took on the World XI led by Arjuna Ranatunga in the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup match. In the organising committee were EAS Prasanna, Sunil Gavaskar, Alvin Kallicharan, Clive Lloyd and Zaheer Abbas while a plethora of international stars participated.

Sachin had his first meeting with his Swami. I remember seeing him stride into the Sai Kulwant hall in a white T-shirt and blue jeans a day before the match. Swami wanted to ensure that the players are happy with the pitch. He set out in His car with Sachin in the front seat next to the driver and Ranatunga and Gavaskar on His either sides in the back seat! They say that God chooses the perfect time and perfect situation to enter a devotee’s heart. Sachin’s heart was blessed to become a home for Swami on that blessed day.

 

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Significance of Vibhuti

Baba has often spoken of the significance of this Vibhuti. Since it is materialized out of nothing and since the Ash is specifically associated with Siva, it is reverentially known by devotees as Kailasa Vibhuti, the sacred Ash of Siva who resides on Mount Kailasa. It is named Vibhuti since it endows one with prosperity; Bhasma - "ashes" because it burns away all sins; Bhasitam - "brightened" because it increases one's spiritual splendor; Ksharam - "destruction" since it removes danger; and Raksha - "protector" for it is an armor against the machinations of evil spirits. This is how the Vibhuti is praised in the Brihad Jabala Upanishad, one of the ancient spiritual texts. Baba says Vibhuti is also a constant reminder of the evanescence of the body which, ultimately, is reduced in cremation to a potful of ash!

Vibhuti is the most precious object in a spiritual sense. Shiva burnt the God of Desire for he agitates the mind and increases the confusion already existing there. Shiva burnt him into a heap of ashes. When the God of desire was destroyed, Prema (Love) reigned supreme. When there is no desire to control the mind, love can be true for all.
The application of this Holy Ash is a reminder for us to achieve our victory over desire. Ash is the ultimate condition of things; it cannot undergo any further change. Ash cannot fade as flowers do in a day or two, it does not dry and disappear or get soiled and unpotable as water does. It does not lose colour as leaves do in a few hours and it does not rot as fruits do in a few days.
Ash is ash forever and ever. This state of ash reminders us of our true nature, which is the atma, our soul. Our soul never undergoes any change. So burn your vices, your bad habits, and worship the Lord rendering yourself pure in thought, word and deed. Reach the state of nothingness and attain liberation by absorbing the essence of the vibhuti that we apply on our foreheads.
When we recite this vibhut mantra, we say “I take refuge in the supremely sacred vibhuti of the Lord, the wonderful vibhuti which bestows liberation, the sacred state which I desire to attain.”
Vibhuti is the most precious object in a spiritual sense. Shiva burnt the God of Desire for he agitates the mind and increases the confusion already existing there. Shiva burnt him into a heap of ashes. When the God of desire was destroyed, Prema (Love) reigned supreme. When there is no desire to control the mind, love can be true for all.
The application of this Holy Ash is a reminder for us to achieve our victory over desire. Ash is the ultimate condition of things; it cannot undergo any further change. Ash cannot fade as flowers do in a day or two, it does not dry and disappear or get soiled and unpotable as water does. It does not lose colour as leaves do in a few hours and it does not rot as fruits do in a few days.
Ash is ash forever and ever. This state of ash reminders us of our true nature, which is the atma, our soul. Our soul never undergoes any change. So burn your vices, your bad habits, and worship the Lord rendering yourself pure in thought, word and deed. Reach the state of nothingness and attain liberation by absorbing the essence of the vibhuti that we apply on our foreheads.
Since this mantra is so powerful, we should recite it with respect and with sincerity in order that we gain the full benefit from it.
In India, holy ash — a sacred symbol also found in other religions — is often called Vibhuti and is associated with Shiva. Vibhuti reminds us of the transitory nature of all earthly things and of the mortality of the body. It is also a symbol of purity and wisdom when viewed as the pure residue resulting from the burning away of ignorance through sadhana (spiritual practice), when desires and attachments have been reduced to ashes. The word Vibhuti has many meanings, including "glory," "might," and "wealth." According to the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba, we will have all these usually transitory qualities in a real and lasting sense when we finally "burn away" all of our lower impulses and attachments. Vibhuti is often materialized by Sathya Sai Baba. It has been known to have healing properties that affect both physical and spiritual maladies. The healing, however, is not automatic and is dependent upon grace and the inner receptivity of the devotee. Vibhuti is sometimes referred to as "Prasad" or "Prasadam" (grace in the form of food). It can be eaten or rubbed on the body (e.g., upon the area of the "third eye" between the eyebrows which has been called the "Eye of Shiva"). Devotees of Shiva in India often wear stripes of ash across their foreheads

Both Vibhuti and Namam are worn on the forehead by the devotees of Siva (sivaites) and Vishnu(vaishnavites) respectively.
The significance of ‘Vibhuti is stated in a verse in Agama sastra.
Brahma vishnuscha rudrascha
Pundrasyathi Devatha
Srushti sthithi samahara
Thripundrusya swarupakam.
It states that Vibhuti expresses the concept that this world we live in and the universe are driven by the functions of creation, preservation and destruction as enacted by the Triad(Thrimurthys) Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. It also signifies that the three Murthies, in the triad are equal. The significance of Vibhuthi is that the body is to be transformed in to ash one day, hence the morality of all men and women born in this world. With this realization we should overcome the ego and selfishness in us and conduct our lives in the righteous path.
Vaishnavas call their representation of Namam on their foreheads as Thirumann, which means the sacred earth (dust). Namam consists of three vertical lines joined at the base, the two outer whitelines signifying the worship of Brahama and Vishnu and the red centerline signifying the worship Mahalakshi. The Namam(thirumann) signifies the fact the men and women of this world will all be transformed.

Source : http://www.saibabaofindia.com/significanceofvibhuti.htm

The Miraculous Vibhuti

 

The Divine Prescription
How the Aerodome Officer’s Cancer was cancelled
Captain Jagdish Oberoi retired as General Manager, Commercial, Indian Airlines. A devotee of Bhagawan for many years, he settled down in Prasanthi Nilayam after retirement and Bhagawan gave him the opportunity to serve as the Aerodrome Officer in the Sri Sathya Sai Airport, Puttaparthi for many years.
A lover of music, Captain Oberoi, used to sing Ghazals, a form of music popular in North India. He was advised by Swami to sing Bhajans. Towards the end of 1981, he developed a severe throat problem. Diagnosis showed it to be throat cancer. Oberoi came to Bangalore and found that Swami was flying from Bangalore to Hyderabad. Oberoi joined Swami on the flight. Capt. Oberoi describes what happened next:
During the flight, Swami called me and asked me to sit beside Him. When I was seated, Swami asked me about my health. I replied, "Swami is Antaryami [the In-dweller], and He knows my problem."
Tears came to my eyes; I was moved. Swami wiped my tears and said, "I know, but I want you to tell Me. It will lighten your burden when you talk about it."
I then told Him that the ENT specialist had diagnosed my ailment as throat cancer. Swami called for a glass of drinking water. He then materialized a blackish powder, dropped the powder into the glass, stirred the water with a spoon, and then gave the water to me to drink. The taste was very bitter but I drank it all.
Swami then rubbed the remainder of the black powder on His finger-tips and then on my throat. It was very soothing. The pain disappeared immediately, and the hitherto uncontrollable cough was almost gone!
Swami then asked me to consult Dr. Kameswar in Madras and get a second opinion about my problem. I pleaded that since I was now feeling better, I didn’t need to go through another painful physical examination. But, Swami insisted and said, "Apne Swami ka agya palan karo aur second opinion lo [Listen to the command of your Swami and seek a second opinion]".
Oberoi went back to Madras and consulted Dr. Kameshwar, who after examination confirmed there was no trace of cancer - Swami had already cancelled it.
Reference: “Love All Serve All” published by Sathya Sai Publications of New Zealand. Page: 301-302.
*file - picture of Sri Sathya Sai Baba with Mr. Paarthasarathy

Faith on swami is bigger than medication

 

- From an article written by Sri Mumbai Srinivasan

This was  narrated by Dr. Mohan, in Divine presence, on 13th April 2008.

One of the patients admitted in his hospital had a very complicated surgery, to remove a heavily solidified abyss in his anal area. Post operation, the patient developed severe pain. Doctor had prescribed maximum medicines as pain killer, which had no effect at all. The doctors could not decide what course of action could be taken. Dr. Mohan was taking leave of this patient before going home, but could not help relieve him of the severe pain. He thought of Bhagavan Baba. He had in his fingers a ring blessed by Swami. He asked the patient to close his eyes, and kept the ring on his forehead, in between his eyes, and prayed to Bhagavan. In no time, the patient went into deep sleep.

Next day, when Dr. Mohan was going rounds in the wards, he found the patient still sleeping. When he woke up he asked the Doctor what medicine he had given the previous night, and he was happy that the pain had miraculously vanished. Doctor said, we had not given any medicine at all. Then again he asked what he did after asking him to close eyes. Doctor replied that he just prayed to his God. The patient was a Muslim, and he believed the doctor and His prayers. Doctor Mohan fully believed that it was the Divine mercy which had helped removal of the extreme pain without any medication.

Later, on another occasion, Dr. Mohan prayed to Bhagavan to bless the ring once again to recharge it with more Divine power, and Bhagavan smiling obliged by keeping his Hands on the ring.

JAI SAIRAM !!!

From Now on…….

 

Gayatri ma visiting swami

GODDESS GAYATHRI VISITS SWAMI.
 
By Sri Mumbai Srinivasan

During the long period of seva, in Gold fixing job in Sai Kulwant Hall, I witnessed several amazing events. Here is yet another Divine manifestation witnessed by me.
 
Bhagavan used to inspect the work of Gold Fixing almost every day. The entire team worked very hard in two shifts to match up with Bhagavan’s enthusiasm. Every one worked two shifts every day, with little time for them to have a nice sleep. From morning 8.00 AM till 2 AM the next day. 
I had been living in the Round No. 5 Building, just behind the temple of Mother Gayathri. That particular day I was returning back to my room at about 3 AM. When I  was reaching the premises near Gayathri Mandir, , I saw a small crowd of seva dals looking at the Gayathri Mandir very intensely. The Seva Dals, I understand were from the State of Orissa.  What I saw there, was astonishing. We could hear the shrilling noise of the iron gate of the Mandir being opened, and a brilliant looking lady was getting inside.  Once inside, she simply vanished and the gates automatically closed.
 
The seva dals, who witnessed this event, were very jubilant and were all talking about this Divine experience. They told me that a few hours ago, they had seen, the gate of the Mandir opening and the Lady coming out and then vanishing. It seemed this was the return trip, which I was also fortunate witness
 
Naturally, this matter was taken up with Bhagavan Himself, the very next day. Bhagavan had a hearty laugh, and told,”Hey, Dwannapothu (meaning male buffalo), it was Mother Gayathri herself was coming out, and then returning back. She was coming to have My Darshan. For your information, it is not Gayathri alone; all Devathas come every day to Prashanthi Nilayam for Darshan.”
 
To another question, why they come only during night hours, Swami laughed off and said, “Because in day time, you are all surrounding Me!”