NOVEMBER 13, 2011 - A Devotee Speaks!

Om Sairam dearest Sai Family,

Greetings from the holy land of our beloved Lord. The 86th Birth Anniversary of our beloved Lord has officially started with Akhanda bhajan starting at sharp 6PM (IST) with a short introductory note from Prof.Anil Kumar. The Akhanda Bhajan started with Shuklam baradaram and Maha Ganapathey namostuthe bhajan.

In a beautifully lit evening with very pleasant temperature seated in the most beautiful Sai Kulwanth hall, watching our beautiful Lord's beautiful Mahasamadhi, my thoughts went to exactly 12 months ago when this place was buzzing with thousands and thousands of devotees. Every one were busy in some way or other. The Prasanthi Management was literally walking on their toes with so much of work to complete and since it was the 85th year, there were high expectations on the whole event.With His immense grace it was a grand grand success and a perfect gratitude to the Avatar of this Age.



REAL TEST:

Going back to my thoughts, i was saying, Swami! With Your immense grace and compassion You have given us everything that we asked for, every thing that we couldn't even think of having, came in our way, At one stage, With all Your pampering we even forgot that the real purpose of Your DESCEND was for our ASCEND. We all became so selfish that we were asking "what is that You will give us when we come to You and what is that You will bring for us when You come to visit us".We completely ignored the real thing that You wanted from us. To be precise we haven't done anything that would please You...



Before we could realise our shortcomings, Swami decided to leave His body. Post Mahasamadhi the REAL TEST started. Every Devotee was in some kind of stress or other. There were many of our own non-devotee friends laughing at us, why friends, few members of our own family who didn't follow Swami made fun of us and let us feel that we were completely wrong in choosing the Sai Path which indeed was a REAL test for all of us.With His grace we were able to overcome this crucial period of our lives quite successfully but it is still "work in progress"..



In my own example, Pre-Mahasamadhi, where ever I went when i tell them that I am from Puttaparthi even non-believers said O How lucky you are!! We haven't seen Sai Baba yet but we adore His simplicity and the great work He did for the society. Literally the same people Post-Mahasamadhi said, O we have to change our opinion and then they start bombarding with so many irrelevant, useless, inconvenient and unwanted questions about all that happened or was misinterpreted by some vested interests in the society.



Be it because of the strong attachment we had for Swami or to His organisation, all of us, at one stage or other became bit emotional and also bit disturbed with all that was told and shown in the Media.No matter what happened, how it happened, for us Swami was/is our beloved Mother, Father and a dear friend. What ever we are today is His mercy. Without His divine love, we wouldn't have been what we are today. Every problem that we faced He taught us to just say "passing clouds". He reminded us that there is just PIECES outside and PEACE is within.



To be born in His time is verily a sign that we all are His beloved ones no matter how close or far we were to His physical form, but we have a very crucial role to play in His mission in our own humble and simple ways.



SWAMI AND THE TRUST:

Pre-Mahasamadhi, for us only the TRUST on Swami mattered a lot than SWAMI'S TRUST. We all came to experience that TRUST through His love and compassion. Atleast 99% of us didn't have any clue about the Trustees or the Trust. We were TOO BUSY in intensifying, strengthening our TRUST on Swami, now we all know it has turned the other way round. Knowingly or unknowingly we have put Swami on the back seat and have been flooded in the WAVE OF DELUSION and mis interpretation of various facts.



This again was/is Swami's TEST.. a real test which we never thought of. It was a thorough FILTRATION process to retain the real devotees and this time Swami's filter had very big holes and many of our own Sai Family members either left the organisation or started to stay away from various Sai Activities. Sisters and Brothers, i heard so many such incidents that happened post Mahasamadhi where some one had to leave but one thing is very clear Swami will never ever leave us. Only a OPPORTUNIST, Selfish and Egoistic person will leave the Sai organisation. The one with strong faith will never part his way no matter what is told and seen.



Very interestingly, on the other hand, double the number of new devotees have come into Sai fold. Those are the people who had never been to Parthi nor seen Swami in His physical form. A fortnight ago, I was seated next to a Brazilian devotee and he was telling, out of 25 members in his group 23 of them have come to Parthi for the first time and every one of them were experiencing immense happiness and peace in Parthi. He himself being a first timer said, Baba is very much here, i feel His presence, I feel His energy and this is just fantastic place and I thank Baba for letting me to come to His abode.



OMNIPRESENT SWAMI:



All of us have to agree the fact that Swami is seen and felt in various places to many many devotees after He left His physical form which reiterates the fact and also reminds us that He is very much with us and even if we try to leave Him, He will never part from us. In the recent past there were so many instances where many devotees saw Swami's physical form in Sai Kulwanth hall. The other day a poor girl and her family from West Bengal came to Sai Kulwanth hall for Mahasamadhi darshan. It was their maiden visit to Parthi. The following day she was scheduled to see the doctors in Swami's Super Speciality hospital for her heart problem. The little girl saw Swami (in Sai Kulwanth Hall) very clearly and apparently He even spoke to her in Bengali language and asked her to go back to home and there is no need for heart operation.. The parents who were initially bit apprehensive decided to go back home and the medical check ups later confirmed that the hole in the heart was completely cured. Now what can we say about the great compassion of our Lord. We can see Him every time we want to, provided we are in the RECEPTIVE mood.



Last month when Sri.Puppet from the UK was here in Parthi, said thus which made me say how true?? I asked him as how he felt about Puttaparthi post Mahasamadhi and he said "Satish! how unfortunate I am that our Lord is able to see me but I am not able to see Him" how true is that statement which is applicable to many of us. We didn't understand Him while He was around physically and before we realised it was too late...



Sisters and Brothers, close to 7 months have passed now. So much has said and done about Swami leaving His form. Even we devotees discussed a lot about it. Many of our discussions were of no use as they were all based on the imaginary media reports. What happened, why it happened is not possible for our limited minds to interpret. Rather let us show the same concern for our own spiritual well-being. It is also high time for us to give up grieving on His Physical departure. Swami would never like that. Our beloved Swami's name has to shine like Him, His glory has to be sung in every nook and corner of this Universe, His mission is now in our hands.



Now the whole world is watching the Sai Family. Many evil minded and narrow minded people have already written off about the future of our organisation. Little do they know that Swami has very clearly said that His Trust would stay till the sun and Moon exists in this Universe and with His divine blessings devotees would take His mission forward with much more intensity.



Come lets celebrate this 86th Birth anniversary of our beloved Lord by visiting Parthi, to promise Swami that we will re-dedicate ourselves in Swami's divine mission. Let's pledge to our Sai Ma that we will never do anything that would make Her unhappy. Let this 86th year of the Advent be a very grand success like the 85th Birthday. Lets use this as an opportunity to SILENCE the vested interests who made fun of us, who underestimated our love for Swami who defamed us, questioned our integrity. No matter how busy you are in your personal and professional life, spare a day or two to take part in the 86th Birth anniversary of our beloved Lord. Make this pilgrimage to Parthi as a THANKS GIVING to our beloved Lord for all the sacrifice He did for us, Make this pilgrimage to Parthi to promise our beloved Lord, that we will take His mission forward according to the Divine Plan, Make this pilgrimage to Parthi to feel and experience our beloved Lord's Love and Compassion.



Just as He wore white robe with golden border during His birthdays, quite coincidentally He is now watching us from His white with golden bordered Mahasamadhi, ever loving, ever giving, ever compassionate Lord is waiting for us to bless us with His divine grace so as to make us worthy enough to be His chosen instruments.



Sisters and Brothers, come to Parthi, our beloved Lord is waiting for you..

Hand in hand, lets move to FOLLOW OUR MASTER, FACE THE DEVIL, FIGHT TO THE END, FINISH THE GAME....

With pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Lord,

If you never...

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am a Healer? If you never had to pray, How would you know that I am a Deliverer? If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer? If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I am a Comforter? If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I am a forgiver? If you knew all, How would you know that I will answer your questions? If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole? If you never had a problem, How would you know that I can solve them? If you never had any suffering, Then how would you know what I went through? If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure? If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them? If I never corrected you, How would you know that I love you? If you had all power, Then how would you learn to depend on me? If your life was perfect, Then what would you need me for? God our Swami, walk through my house and take away all my worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family. Om Sai Sree Sai Jai Jai Sai The thought that comes from your mind should be pure; the words you utter should be true and sweet and the work you do should be sacred.

Sai Ram,

No matter how hard one tried to be accurate, somehow false information creeps in. Several people said that the Baba statue was under construction.

Even last week people in authority advised me that it was being worked on but not yet completed.

Now comes the news that it hasn’t even been started. Sanathana Sarathi announced that the Central Trust was taking designs and ideas for a Sai Baba statue which will be placed with the Samadhi. It will be dedicated on Guru Poornima.

The Trust is accepting proposals complete with preliminary designs and sketches from artists, sculptors and other creative people. They want the inner spirit of Sai Baba to come through the physical beauty.

Such proposal should be sent to the chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust in Prasanthi Nilayam – 515134 (coordinator@sssmt.org.in) by the end of November 2011.

The decision of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust will be final.

If you go to http://www.saireflections.org/index_inr.html, there are many photos of Sai Baba that you can use to get ideas. Furthermore, you can sent an email with the picture that you like telling the Trust that it what you would like in the statue.

At this point, you only have until November 30th.

sairam!

Govt to celebrate Satya Sai birth anniversary

Anantapur: “The state government has decided to celebrate the 86th birthday of Satya Sai Baba,” the Revenue Minister, Mr Raghuveera Reddy, said here on Friday.

The minister participated in a meeting held at Puttaparthi in connection with Satya Sai Baba’s birthday celebrations on November 23.

Mr Reddy pointed out that for the past 30 years the Central Trust of Baba had been conducting the celebrations in a grand manner. But this time, due to the demise of the Baba, the government would conduct the function, for which the Chief Minister, Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy, had allocated special funds.

The minister issued orders to the officials concerned to take up repair works of roads, water pipelines and buildings utilising the special funds.

He suggested to the District Collector, Mr Durga Das, to provide all facilities to thousands of devotees expected to come from all corners of the world. He asked the RTC depot manager to arrange for special buses from Dharmavaram and Puttaparthi railway and bus-stations.

The minister issued orders to DM & HO to arrange health tents at 10 places and to employ a team of 20 specialist doctors and medical staff at Puttaparthi.

Mr RJ Ratnakar, member of the Sri Satya Sai Central Trust, stated that special pujas, homams and chants would be arranged in the Sai Kulwant Hall on the occasion.Mr Shanawaj Khan, district SP, assured that they would provide complete security.

He said that temporary police tents would be arranged at five places, manned by one ASI, one head constable and two constables. Special teams would be formed for security.

Sai Central Trust member RJ Ratnakar, district SP Shanawaj Khan, District Collector Durga Das, Joint Collector Anita Ramachandran and senior officials of all the departments took part in the meeting.

http://www.thehansindia.info/News/Article.asp?category=1&subCategory=2&ContentId=17973

VVIPs to skip Satya Sai’s birthday fete

November 13, 2011

The birth anniversary celebrations of late Satya Sai Baba, to be held at Putta-parthi from November 16 to 23, will be a low-key affair, in contrast to the pomp when the seer was alive. During his lifetime, VVIPs like the President, Prime Minister and Union ministers made a beeline to the godman’s abode at Puttaparthi to seek his blessings on his birthday. However, the big names are missing from the list of expected guests at the first birth anniversary after the seer’s soul left his body on April 25 this year.

The Satya Sai Trust has organised a host of functions to commemorate the birthday celebrations and Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah will grace the occasion on November 23, Sri Satya Sai Central Trust media coordinator Prof A. Anantharaman said. “We have series of cultural programmes, including one by Anup Jalota,” Prof. Anantharaman said.

A series of cultural programmes, including vocals by Sumeet Tappoo, Sumit-ra Guha, Sri Rama Nama Amrutham dance drama by Muddenhalli students, Rathothsavam, ladies day celebrations, instrumental music concert by Mandolin U. Srinivas and U. Rajesh, among others, have been lined up from November 16 to 23. IIS’s Bengaluru director Prof P. Balram will be the chief guest at the 30th convocation of the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learning on November 22.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/hyderabad/vvips-skip-satya-sai%E2%80%99s-birthday-fete-973

Love Songs to Swami

I have always loved music. Mama sang opera and almost signed with an opera company in Europe when she met Daddy, married and had five children. When I came along I was an 'after thought' being ten years the youngest and while pregnant with me she developed a node on her vocal chords and that was the end of her coloratura voice. Everyone said I had gotten her voice but I have always had a quiver and so it wasn't so good. But I loved singing and I loved classical and pop music. When I was 'in love' with someone I always spent hours singing to them in my room so I knew all the popular songs of the day.

In 1974 when I went to India for the first time I didn't like the music. Indian music uses a different scale. In the west it's do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do. Indian music uses, sa-re-ga-ma-pa-da-ni-sa. The intervals between notes are different and it has never touched my heart. Also the bhajans are in Sanskrit which I never learned. I learned to love Indian classical music over the years but it was more or less an intellectual thing. When I did the books on Swami's 108 names, the Astotra, I picked out a Bhajan to go with each name and translated them into singable English. A friend thought that was a wonderful idea for Americans who needed to know what they were singing about.

So when I came back I asked the Tampa Bay Sai Center if they would like to use these English translations...also...in their collection. They didn't want them and there were a few negative feelings. I realized finally that Swami had written the leela for some purpose or other and dropped the idea. Anyway I needed to sing to Swami. I needed to express my love to Him in a heart felt way. I needed to hold His picture in my arms and 'croon' to Him from the depths of my poor aching heart. First I lost Him when I returned to the USA and then He left His beautiful divine body and I lost His form again.

I needed to sing to my Beloved and so I took many of those popular songs from the fifties and sixties and seventies and changed the lyrics to fit my own personal relationship with God,with the Kali Yuga Avatar, with my own Divine Beloved Lord. I did about 100 songs finding the lyrics and tunes on Google. Did you know that you can type the title of just about any song that became popular during those years and Google will give you the lyrics and a u-tube video of someone singing the song. I also sent a 'donation' to our public Television and they sent me...Magic Moments...songs from the fifties and sixties on a CD. So that's how I got so many songs

Then I had to change the lyrics just a little to make them fit. Most love songs are concerned with boy meets girl or girl meets boy. They hold hands, kiss, make out and it's either consummated or they get married or fall apart. My relationship with Swami wasn't like that, right? I spent 30 years sitting in the Hall or on the sand, waiting for Him to glide by and perhaps perhaps, give me a sidelong glance which would send me into ecstasy. No 'thrill', only bliss. No kissing, only a glance, no touchy feely, only a smile, No talking together, only my feelings of love. You can't sing of His feelings, only your own. It sounds limited but if you can remember the yearning and bliss with these old songs, it's wonderful. Now I spend many hours a day singing to my Lord.

I think I'll mention the new chapter, Usually I end my blog with one page but this last bit is important to the subject.

I moved into Peterborough and sat alone here for almost exactly a year before venturing out the front door. Christine, the girl who cleans for me,was my only friend. She really did almost save my life because I was very sick and very depressed. She is a God Send, also a very bright and intelligent person.

Across the street from Peterborough is the Sunshine Senior center. I went over and got a membership card with my picture on it but I was too nervous to go back. They have chorus and a Drama class, water colors, sculpture classes, yoga, exercise class, lectures on health, Jazz Band, and many other things plus a coffee shop and a dining room where you can get the same food as 'meals on wheets' gives out to seniors. It's a wonderfulplace and finally I got involved. First I joined the 'country classics' group and sat and listened to these very very old people singing solos. I thought to myself....30 years at the Feet of God and I should be able to do that. So I sang for about a month....every Friday...some old song but with out accompaniment. Well, I do have this voice I got from Mama and everyone clapped and said how wonderful I was. The bar was extremely low. One 95 year old sang every Friday in a monotone. But she sang! I just couldn't, 30 years or no. I would sweat it out for two hours before singing something I really didn't know very well and didn't know the key or really even the tune exactly. So I stopped. Who needs all that stress. The chorus is different. I've always sung in the chorus so I love it and it's comfortable. Besides people do sing alone there also so once a month I can sing a a song accompanied by the piano. It's enough to make me feel as if I am utilizing my talent and that's important. After all Mama gave it to me so I ought to use it besides after 30 years with Swami I owe it to Him to be brave and courageous.

So that's my career in music. But the best part is that every day I'm singing love songs to my precious adorable Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and He fills me with such happiness and bliss I forget where I am.. If anyone wants some of these 'love songs to Swami' lyrics, you can let me know. saisusanc@yahoo.com. I think the few of us here in the states who still want to worship our Lord in English and in our own way, should be allowed to do so even if it's just in private. When I first got back to America I thought about organizing a group of westernized Americans but there didn't seem to be a need. I guess He wants us to get away from community worship and just be alone with the Lord.

Parthi News

Sai Ram,

We had showers on several days but now the sun has returned. The weather has cooled off. Some people need an extra garment before 8 a.m. The temperature range has been from about 20 to 28C (68 to 82).

The crowd is small but it will grow for Akanda bhajans and more for Birthday week.

It is great here. Baba presence is felt in Kulwant Hall.

Some people come into the hall just for darshan. It is better to go for the whole time –Rudram and bhajans followed by darshan. Darshan is great as you touch the Samadhi, you receive some of Sai’s energy. An uplifting experience.

The school system had been on vacation. All classes resumed on November 8th.
It was nice to see them back in Kulwant Hall.

Wednesday – November 1 to Friday - November 11. Rudram. Bhajans, arathi and darshan.

Yesterday, November 10th was Kartika Poornima which is celebrated on the full moon of this month. It is auspicious to both Shiva and Vishnu. Prayers to them fulfill many requests. Along the wall of the ashram and at some intersections little lamps were lit.

Birthday Celebration Week

November 16 – Sumeet Tappoo – Vocal Concert
November 17 - Mudenahalli Campus Students
Sri Rama Nama Amruthan dance
November 18 - Rathotsavam
November 19 - Ladies Day - Celebration &
November 20 – Ladies Day Cultural Program
November 21 - Convocation - Chief Guest Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah &
November 22 - Convocation Mandolin U.Srinivas and U.Rajesh Instrumental Music

The Baba Statue which was originally rumored to be ready for dedication on Birthday was not yet completed. Word was that it will be dedicated either on the Anniversary in April of on Guru Poornima on July 3rd.

Some Baba stories as told by someone who has been around for about 40 years.

Kasturi had died. The people attending him waited for Baba. He came and asked everyone to leave. Baba spent 15 minutes alone with Kasturi before leaving. A little later the same day, the postman delivered an envelope which was placed in his room. It was addressed to Professor Kasturi c/o of God. The envelope was empty and was postmarked Australia.

A foreigner stopped on the way to India in Singapore. He brought 100 fake watches at $10 a piece. When he arrived at the ashram, all of them were sold within a week at $100 a piece. A few days later, all the foreigners were asked to come into the mandir hall. This foreigner had a tape recorded. As he moved closer, he was in front of Baba. Kasturi was on the side.

Baba had them switch places so that the foreigner was next to Baba. As Baba spoke the microphone had to be moved from him to Kasturi. Baba announced that he heard that a foreigner had brought watches to the ashram and were selling them to Indians. If he finds out who that person was, he would be kicked out forever. Meanwhile, that person was the one standing next to Baba with the microphone.

FYI, the person turned out to be a wonderful devotee of Baba involved with many seva projects.

Now to the Present: Word is that Baba has been assuming the form of male and female students while helping that person’s friend.

Croatia who will be performing on December 20th will also be in charge of the Christmas decorations this year.

Attached is a picture of Sai Baba and 2 articles from Radio Sai on Helen Keller and Joan of Arc.

There were 3 Seema Messages: “Peak of Intelligence”, “The Unending Grace” and “Just A Little”.

Thought for the Day
19th October 2011

Concentration, as per scriptures, is fixing the mind on one object, without any deviation. To concentrate or meditate on God one must have Sathwa-gunas (pure qualities) as the foundation. The mind should be purified by proper treatment of the character through good habits. All effort for concentration without cleansing the mind is a sheer waste of time. Many people have ruined their careers by aspiring early for concentration, without practising the discipline of good habits. Concentration alone can negate hesitation and inactivity, and grant success in any endeavour. In spirituality, taking God’s name and concentrating is essential for meditation, for that alone can ensure quick success. Even if complete faith is not forthcoming quickly, one must not give up or change, for practice will certainly yield victory. Meditation is the spiritual strength that will keep off the disease of Samsara (worldliness).

Baba

Thought for the Day
29 October 2011

You must take up the study of scriptures in an attitude of submission and expectancy. Every chapter in the Bhagavad Geetha lays down the means and methods of reaching the goal of peace and harmony, with emphasis on spiritual attitude and practices in life. The Geetha is a boat which takes man across from the self-imposed state of bondage to the freedom which is one’s nature, from darkness to light. The Geetha encourages the aspirant to aspire, not despair. One must persevere, not clamour for quick success. Truly speaking, every being has come into this field of activity (Karmakshetra) only to engage themselves in activity, not in order to earn the fruit of such activity. That is the fundamental lesson taught by the Geetha.

Baba

Thought for the Day
6 November 2011

Joy and grief are as day and night; they have to be put up with and gone through. They will neither appear nor disappear at your will! Both are related to the physical or the material - the body; they do not affect the soul. You are liberated the moment you transcend joy and grief. What is there to grieve in life? Did you grieve when your body underwent changes? The child disappears in the boy, the boy in the youth, the youth is lost in the middle-aged man who in turn is lost in the old man. You never weep over these changes that affect the body; why then, when the body is lost in death? Whatever changes your body may suffer, the Atma, the splendour of the true Wisdom remains immortal. Being established unshakably in this knowledge is the sign of the wise, the Jnani.

Baba