93rd Birthday Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma - When did this start and how?

SAI BHAGAVATHAM:

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, a Santoor player of international repute, Padmavibhushan awardee, narrates a few of his experiences:

‘In 1968, I came to know that vibhuti was emanating in a house in Vile Parle - a suburb of Mumbai, from the photograph of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I went there to play Santoor. I was amazed to find the glass in the frame of the photograph of Bhagavan completely covered with vibhuti. It was completely removed in my presence, but by the time I finished playing Santoor, the glass frame was covered again fully with vibhuti.

‘When did this start and how?’ I asked the landlord of the house. ‘My wife is a devotee of Baba’, he told me, ‘but I was not a believer. I used always to reprimand her for playing into the hands of Babas. After sometime, I had a problem of gout in my knees. I tried all sorts of treatment but in vain. My wife used to tell me to go to Puttaparthi once and pray to Baba. But I used to admonish her for such foolish advice. Finally I relented, as the problem grew acute. At Puttaparthi, Baba did not come my side for several days. I was growing restless. One day He came to me and stood before me. Touching me on my knees with His Divine hands, Swami said, ‘what is wrong with you? Get up!’ At once, I got up and started walking. The gout problem left me for good! Then we returned to Mumbai. We opened the doors of our house and entered. The first thing I noticed was that Baba’s photograph was full of vibhuti. Since then it has never stopped!’

From that day onwards, I yearned to have Darshan of Baba. Dr. Shukla, my family doctor, was keen that I should get a chance to play Santoor for Baba. Baba called me for personal interview. At the interview, Baba told us all about our problems. Santoor - the instrument I play, was never used till that time in Indian classical music. Those were the days when I was struggling to establish the instrument. Swami materialised a ring for me. He put it on my finger and said, ‘this is your home from today and my home is in your heart. Come to me anytime’. After that I had many chances to play on Santoor for Swami at Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and Mumbai.

Once Swami was in Mumbai. But I could not go for Darshan as I was advised rest on medical grounds. A friend came to see me and began to criticise Bhagavan. It was a very unpleasant situation. I did not like to join issue with him. After a while he left. Then I noticed suddenly that the golden bust of Swami on my ring was missing. I was upset. Later, I found it on the carpet. Even though I was advised against movement, I took a taxi and went to Dharmakshetra. When we reached the place, Swami was going out in His car. It was a big disappointment. I kept the ring and the golden bust of Baba in a silver casket. Every morning, I used to unlock it, take out Baba’s golden bust and do pranam before I put it back.

One day I had a dream. I was sitting under a tree in Dharmakshetra. Swami was standing in front of me. ‘Don’t wear this ring’, He told me in the dream, ‘now take a new one’. He gave me a new ring in the dream. I woke up in the morning. Immediately I opened the silver casket. The ring was there but Swami’s golden bust disappeared!

After a few months, Baba came to Mumbai. I went for Darshan. After bhajan, a few of us were called to meet Baba. When Swami came near, I said, ‘Swami! My ring…’ Before I could complete my sentence, Swami said, ‘Swami came into your dream and gave you a new ring’. Suddenly I realised that I was sitting under the same tree under which I had sat in my dream. Swami then materialised a new ring and gave it to me. That day a young American requested for a lift to the airport. On the way, I asked, ‘how did you come to Swami?’ He is the son of an American Ambassador. He got interested in Indian spiritual thought and visited many ashrams in India. However he was disillusioned and wanted to return to his land. That day he had a dream. In it he saw a person very charming and loving. ‘Don’t go back. Go to Puttaparthi’, he said and explained how he could reach Puttaparthi. Later he went to the railway station and enquired only to find that the train numbers and timings he was told in the dream were correct. After he reached Puttaparthi, Swami came to him and said, ‘so you have come, my son!’ He could not believe his eyes and ears. Baba not only directed him in his dream to go over to Puttaparthi, but also recognised him on arrival. Since then he has been staying in India.

One day I ran into the famous singer Asha Bhonsle. She saw Baba’s ring on my finger and said, ‘I don’t believe in Him. Why are you going there?’ ‘It is purely a personal thing. I don’t want to discuss it’ I said. ‘Let us have a bet’, she told me, ‘if He comes in my dream today I will believe in Him. Otherwise, no!’ I was in no mood for bets. I said, ‘I don’t want to go into any betting on this, mataji’, I told her, ‘please stop this discussion’.

That night Asha Bhonsle had a dream in which Bhagavan appeared. On her request I took her to Dharmakshetra. She went to Puttaparthi afterwards. Swami did not speak to her for several days. One day Swami came to her and narrated to her how she had come to Puttaparthi – the bet, the dream and all.

Once I was flying from Rome to Mumbai. The plane stopped at Athens when a few persons boarded the plane. A Greek couple emplaned there and sat next to me. After the take-off, the lady said something to her husband. ‘Do you know Baba?’ he asked me. ‘Who Baba?’ He touched the ring Bhagavan gave me earlier and said, ‘I mean Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. What a coincidence? We are on our way to Puttaparthi and we sat by your side – a devotee of Baba’. ‘How did you come to know of Baba?’ I asked him. ‘I was passing through a difficult phase in life’, he told me, ‘one night I saw a person in my dream. He was a total stranger but was very loving. He blessed me and said, ‘everything will be all right’. After that day things began to move and all my problems began to get sorted out. One day I saw a book displayed in the showcase of a bookshop. I was pleasantly shocked to find the photograph of the person who blessed me in my dream, on the book. I went into the shop and bought the book. It is in Greek and is about Sri Sathya Sai Baba.’

Once I was in Canada for my first major concert in Toronto. It was heavily raining on that day. Organisers were sceptical whether people would come for the concert in that rain. Their previous concerts in that place had not done well. But, owing to Bhagavan’s grace, the auditorium was full by the time I came on the stage. The concert went off well. After the concert, there was dinner at somebody’s house. The host came to me during dinner and said, ‘when you were playing tonight, I had a very strange experience. I had seen Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s photograph earlier. I am neither a believer in Him, nor His devotee. But during the performance, I saw a couple of times your face changing into that of Sri Sathya Sai Baba as if he was playing Santoor.’ Everybody present was amazed to hear this.

Similar experience was reported to me in San Francisco also. Just before the concert started, the sound system began to give trouble. I went into the green room and prayed to Baba. When I came on the stage, I was surprised to find that the auditorium, which was sparsely occupied earlier, was full. Another miraculous development was that the sound system began to function well. Added to this, a person came to me during the dinner and said, ‘I am a devotee of Baba. When you were playing, your face disappeared a few times and Baba’s face was seen as if He was playing Santoor!’ I was amazed that two different types of individuals reported the same kind of experience at two different places.

In November 1998, I went with my son Rahul to Dubai to give a concert there. One day prior to the concert, the organisers took us to see a Sand Dune Safari, which is famous there. Shafath Ahmed Khan, the famous Tabla player and a Baba devotee, Rahul and others were in one car, and my wife Manorama and a few others were in another car. The car in which my son Rahul was travelling was a brand new car. We were quite ahead of them when the driver turned our car back on receiving a call on his cell phone. After a while, we saw a lot of people surrounding a car. There was an ambulance and a police car also. We were shocked to find that it was the car in which my son Rahul and others were travelling. The sight was so frightening that my wife lost control being in a state of shock. Then, to our great relief, we saw Rahul, Shafath and others in the car looking at the car standing in the gathering. When the car was travelling at 135 km speed, there was a tyre-burst. The car hit the steel railing in the middle of the highway and was about to collide with a big trailer-truck coming from behind, which missed it miraculously by a few inches. The car overturned and began to spin like a toy till it came to a stop on its own. Everyone was trapped inside. The police who arrived soon helped them come out. Though the car was completely smashed all its occupants escaped miraculously. My son had no injury except a little pressure on his finger, which turned blue. Only one passenger had a minor bleeding injury. But for that, everyone escaped without even a scratch. My son and others were taken to a private hospital for check-up. The first thing they saw there was a big photograph of Bhagavan. Next day the concert could be held as scheduled. It was a grand success.

On November 21, 1998, we came to Prasanthi Nilayam to attend Baba’s Birthday celebrations. During Darshan, Swami came to me and asked, ‘where is Son?’ Rahul was sitting next to me. I said, ‘Swami! He is here.’ ‘Where is Son?’ Swami again asked. I thought Bhagavan was enquiring about my elder son. ‘Swami! Rohit has not come’, I replied. ‘Where is Son?’ Swami repeated the same question. I was confused that Swami was asking the same question. Suddenly its meaning dawned on me. ‘Swami saved him’, I told Swami. ‘Yes! I know’, Swami replied with a smile and left.

Next morning we were called for an interview. Swami narrated the whole incident giving description of the car, its speed, tyre-burst and Rahul shouting ‘Baba! Baba!’ ‘When it (accident) happened in Dubai, some were with me here’, Swami told us, ‘I told them, ‘Shivkumar Sharma’s son met with a serious accident.’ They asked, ‘Swami! How is he now?’ I told them, ‘he has been saved.’ Swami gave a new life to Rahul, Shafath and others in that car.’

-- Shivkumar Sharma

(Based on the article of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma in the souvenir published on the occasion of the 75th Birthday of Bhagavan in 2000.)

Sayeeshwara Jagadeeshwara - Sai Bhajan

Sayeeshwara Jagadeeshwara Parameshwara Partheeshwara [ Sayeeshwara ... ] Karunamaya Jaganmohana Shaileshwara Bhuvaneshwara Kailasa Natha Maheshwara Courtesy : RadioSai, Sai Blossoms, Sai Love, Sri Sathya Sai organisations for all the audio, Video & Images on Swami.

Mothers Role - Chinnakatha

Lord Krishna visited Queen Gandhari console her after the Kurukshetra battle. She accused Him: "Though You are God, how could You be so partial. You supported the Pandavas but could not save at least one son out of the hundred sons I bore." Krishna replied: "Sister, I am not responsible for the death of your children. You are responsible." Gandhari replied: "Krishna how can You be so hard hearted to accuse me thus?" Krishna replied: "Sister, you gave birth to a hundred sons but did you ever cast your loving glance on at least one of them? You chose to remain blindfolded. You could not see for yourself how your sons were faring. Your sons are indeed the most unfortunate ones because they could not enjoy their mother's tender care and affectionate glance. How could they grow into

disciplined, dutiful and righteous heroes? Mother is the first teacher and preacher".

"Just think for yourself the situation and compare it with that of Queen Kunti. Kunti from the moment of her husband's death, brought up her sons with great care and affection. She was with them both in the palace and in the house of wax as well. The Pandavas would never do anything without the blessings of their mother. They could earn My grace not because of their individual talents but because of Kunti's constant prayer to Me: 'Oh Krishna! You alone should protect them.' Those who are not fortunate enough to enjoy the loving glance of their mother cannot earn the divine vision, nor can they win the love of God."

What should we learn from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagawatam

What is the main ideal taught in Ramayana? If you enquire throughout the text of the Ramayana, you will understand that it is desire which is the main enemy. Mahabharata teaches that it is greed which subjects man to all humiliation. It is the Bhagavata that teaches man that it is anger which makes man forget his human nature and human qualities.

~Sri Sathya Sai Baba~

Sai Nama Bolo Govinda Nama Bolo - Sai Bhajan

1. Sai Nama Bolo Govinda Nama Bolo Let us chant the sacred name of Lord Sai; Let us sing the name of Lord Krishna who is Lord Govinda, the Master of all Beings who elevates our personalities. 2. Mahadeva Bolo Jai Panduranga Bolo Let us chant the name of Lord Shiva, who is Mahadeva, The Great Lord; Let us sing the name of the victorious Lord Krishna who is Lord Panduranga, the beautiful Lord with a whitish hue. 3. Sai Nama Bolo Govinda Nama Bolo Let us chant the sacred name of Lord Sai; Let us sing the name of Lord Krishna who is Lord Govinda, the Master who subdues our animal tendencies and elevates our beings. 4. Ram Krishna Bolo Jai Buddha Sai Bolo Let us chant the names of the charismatic incarnations of the Divine, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. Let us sing the name of the victorious Lord Buddha. Let us adore Lord Sai, who is the same Lord Buddha, who is now with us as Lord Sai Buddha.

5. Zorastra Mahaveera Yesu Sai Bolo Let us chant the names of the divine prophets Zorastra, Mahaveera and Lord Jesus Christ. Let us chant the name of Lord Sai, who is the same Father whom Christians worship world over. 6. Allah Sai Bolo Maula Sai Bolo (2) Let us chant the name of the Infinite Lord who is hailed as Allah and Maula. Let us call out to Lord Sai as Sai Allah and Sai Maula, the Supreme One who is now with us in a human form. 7. Prema Sai Shanthi Dayi Sathya Sai Bolo Let us chant the name of Lord Sathya Sai, the Personification of the Ultimate Truth, the One who is an Embodiment of Love and who alone can confer on us permanent peace.

Faith is essential for human progress

Faith is essential for human progress 

“Seeing a glass half filled with water, the optimist is glad that it is half full, while the pessimist is sad that it is half empty. Though both statements are correct, the optimist hopes to fill the other half too, while the pessimist gives up in despair. The one has faith; the other has no faith to sustain him. So, we must develop faith by steady effort. 

Faith must lead to effort. Faith is essential for human progress in every field. Knowledge, and through knowledge, wisdom can be earned only by means of faith and effort. Equipped with these, man can venture into the heights and emerge victoriously. Of course, one has to be warned against cultivating too much faith in things that are merely material. One has to develop it deep in the eternally valid Truth, God.

Faith is power. Without faith, living is impossible. We have faith in tomorrow following today. That

is what makes us take up activities and projects that extend beyond this day. People with no faith cannot plan; they court misery by their want of faith.

A rich man in South Africa once heard a divine voice which promised him a gold mine, if only he would dig at a certain place. He dug at that place to a depth of 200 feet and failed to discover any vein of gold. His faith waned. He doubted the authenticity of the voice. He talked to others how the voice had played false. When another rich man heard his story, he developed great faith in what he believed to be God's command. He dug in the same areas and laid bare a rich gold mine barely three feet below the surface of the earth. That became the richest and the most famous of the gold mines of South Africa. 

During the Second World War, a steamer carrying Indian sepoys was bombed by the Japanese and it was sunk. Many lost their lives. Only five men managed to row their life-boat and hoped to have a chance to survive, in spite of the surging ocean. They were tossed about for many hours. One of them became desperate. "The sea will swallow me. I will be food for sharks," he cried, and, in panic, he fell into the sea. Another sepoy wept for his family. "I am afraid they will suffer much. I am dying without arranging for their future", he said. He too lost his faith in his survival and breathed his last. The third man said, "Alas! I have with me the policy documents of insurance. What a pity I did not give them to my wife. How can she get the amount, now that I am dying?" And he also died. 

The other two men reinforced each other's faith in God. They said, "We shall prove by sticking to life, however desperate the situation. God has created us for some good purpose. We shall not yield to fear. We shall not give up faith in God's compassion and power". They had to give up the leaky boat and swim towards the shore. Within five minutes, a helicopter sent from a coastal ship which had received signals for help from the sinking steamer, sighted them and hauled them up to safety. While safe on land, they said, "It is only five minutes between victory and defeat". Those who dug for the gold mine could well say, "It is only three feet of soil between victory and defeat". Faith won the victory; want of it brought about defeat and death.”

-Sathya Sai Speaks, 15-12

Madhura Mohana Ghana Shyama Sundara Sayee

Madhura Mohana Ghana Shyama Sundara Sayee
Aananda Pradayee Naa Andaala Rasivoyi (2)
Neeve Naa Maata Pita Bhraata Ve Sadaa
Sakhudavu Guru Daivamu Mari Antha Neeve Ga
Neede Tanuvu Neede Manasu Antha Neede Ga
Anuvanuvuna Kanakanamuna Nindi Unna Sadaya Hrudaya (2)
Madhura Mohana…
Ninne Poojinchaleni Ee Karamulelano
Ninne Dhyaninchaleni Ee Dehamelano
Kanu Vinduga Ninu Choodani Kannulelano
Ninne Marichi Ninthalanchani Janmamelano
Ninu Piluvani Ninu Thalavani Jihvamela Jeevamela (2)
Madhura Mohana…

Shankara Sada Shiva - Sathya Sai Bhajan

Jagadodharana Aadisidale yashodha With Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

There is an interesting incident behind this.... The singer is Mr. Kavalam srikumar. He is a famous singer from kerala. He sang this song Jagadodharana in front of swami in brindavan.

Swami listened to this full song in standing position refusing any chair from students. After the singer finished, swami casually came near the singer, patted his cheeks and said...

"Dint you pray recently in Guruvayur to krishna saying guruvayurapa should listen to your song standing in front of you? That's why I was listening standing in front of you!!."

.. Needless to say the singer was flabbergasted.

Jagadodharana Aadisidale yashodha
Jagadodharana maganendu thiliyutha
Suguna antha Rangana Aadisidale yashodha
Nigamakey silukada Aganitha Mahimana

Magugala Maanikyana Aadisidale yashodha
Anoraneeyana Mahatho Maheeyana
Aprameyana Aadisidaleyshodha
Paramapurushana Paravaasudevana
Purandhara Vitthalana Adisidheleyshodha

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Darshan With Sai Shiva Bhajans Medley - SaiCharan TV

The Avatar

Once in the 1950s..the Raja of Venkatagiri asked Swami.." Swami, what is the difference between you and other saints such as Ramana Maharishi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?"...Swami replied in Telugu " By their own effort they have risen to the level of Godhead, but with the infinite powers I possess, I have come from the level of Godhead to redeem mankind.."

East Africa Visit Of Bhagawan

My Journey in the Mission of Sai - N S Srinivas Gandhi

Read the Book titled "My Journey in the Mission of Sai" By Sri N S Srinivas Gandhi

Sri Sathya Sai Suprabatham

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Suprabhatham

‘Su’ means good, auspicious and ‘Prabhath’ means morning. ‘Suprabhatam’ refers to the morning prayers that are chanted in praise of the Lord to awaken the divinity present within each individual. It is the act of dedicating oneself to the Lord and praying for His blessings right at the start of a new day.

1. Easwaramba Suthah Shreeman Poorvaa Sandhyaa Pravarthathe Utthishta Sathya Sayeesha Karthavyam Daivamaanhikam O Son of Easwaramba! O Resplendent Majestic One! Dawn is heralding in the East. The daily tasks of Divinity, which Thou hast undertaken has to be accomplished, therefore, awake, O Lord Sathya Sai! 2. Utthishtotthishta Partheesha Utthishta Jagadheepathey Utthishta Karunapoorna Loka Mangala Siddhaye Awake, Awake, O Lord of Parthi! O Lord of the entire Universe and Mankind! Awake, O Compassionate Lord! So that the world attain auspiciousness, happiness, prosperity, welfare and blessings. 3. Chitraavathi Thata Vishaala Sushaantha Soudhey Thishtanthi Sevaka Janaah Thava Darshanaartham Aadhithya Kaanthiranubhaathi Samastha Lokaan Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan Thava Suprabhatham In the vast Mansion, full of bliss and tranquility, (Prashanthi Nilayam) on the banks of the river Chitravathi, those anxious to serve Thee are waiting for Thy Darshan. The radiance of the Sun is illumining the World. O Lord Sathya Sai! Blessed by Thy wakefulness, we pray for an auspicious day. 4. Thwannaama Keerthana Rathaahsthava Divya Naama Gaayanthi Bhakthi Rasa Paana Prahristha Chiththaah Daathum Krupaasahitha Darshanamaashu Thebhyah Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan Thava Suprabhatham Devotees engrossed in singing Thy Glory are happy and blissful, when they taste the nectar of devotion. Kindly shower Thy Grace by granting them Thy Darshan. O Lord Sathya Sai! Blessed by Thy wakefulness, we pray for an auspicious day. 5. Aadhaaya Divya Kusumaani Manoharaani Sreepaada Poojana Vidhim Bhavadanghri Mooley Karthum Mahothsukathayaa Pravishanti Bhakthaah Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan Thava Suprabhatham Bringing holy flowers with captivating colors and fragrance, for worshipping Thy Lotus Feet, in the form as prescribed by the scriptures, Thy devotees are coming in, with great yearning and enthusiasm. O Lord Sathya Sai! Blessed by Thy wakefulness, we pray for an auspicious day. 6. Desaantharaagatha Budhaah Thava Divya Moorthim Sandharshanaabhirathi Samyutha Chiththa Vruthyaa Vedoktha Manthra Pathanena Lasanthyajasram Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan Thava Suprabhatham Wise persons from distant countries, moved by yearning to have Thy Darshan, have come and they are having great delight in reciting constantly mantras of the Vedas. O Lord Sathya Sai! Blessed by Thy wakefulness, we pray for an auspicious day. 7. Shruthva Thavaadbhutha Charithram Akhanda Keerthim Vyaaptham Diganthara Vishaala Dharaathalesmin Jignaasu Lokaupathishtathi Chaasramesmin Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan Thava Suprabhatham Hearing Thy marvellous tales and fame that has reached the farthest horizons, earnest seekers of Reality have come to this place and are waiting. O Lord Sathya Sai! Blessed by Thy wakefulness, we pray for an auspicious day. 8. Seetha Sathee Sama Vishuddha HridhambuJaathaah Bahvanganaa Kara Gruheetha Supushpa Haaraah Sthunvanthi Divyanuthibhih Phani Bhushanam Thwaam Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan Thava Suprabhatham Women devotees, whose (petals of) heart are unattached to the world like Lotus petals (which are unattached to the water in which they grow, even though they cannot survive without water) and are similar to Mother Seetha in virtues and piousness are singing Thy Glory - the Glory of Lord Shiva adorned with Serpent around His neck - through holy hymns holding excellent flower garlands in their hands. O Lord Sathya Sai! Blessed by Thy wakefulness, we pray for an auspicious day. 9. Suprabhatham Idam Punyam Ye Patanthi Dine Dine Tey Vishanthi Param Dhaama Jnaana Vijnaana Shobhithaah Whoever daily recites this morning awakening Hymn will attain the Highest Abode resplendent with the Supreme intelligence as well as Supreme wisdom. 10. Mangalam Guru Devaaya Mangalam Jnaana Dhaayine Mangalam Parthi Vaasaaya Mangalam Sathya Saayine May the divine Guru be auspicious to us; May the Bestower of wisdom be auspicious to us; May the Lord, Who manifested in Parthi be auspicious to us; May Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba be auspicious to us.