Many are the paths leading to liberation. Though the paths are many, the ultimate goal is the same. From time immemorial the Bhakti Marga has been peculiarly suited to the genius of the Indian masses. Hence it is that devotion has special appeal to all classes of people in India and legion are the saints who came under the all-pervading influence of devotion and have trodden this golden path of spirituality, immortality, and liberation. These saints have left behind them footprints on the sands of time, indelible landmarks for the guidance of faltering humanity to traverse this steep and rugged path of devotion. One of these perfect men is Shri Satguru Samartha Ramdas, the great saint of Maharashtra. He has laid down the following types of devotion:
The first is Sravana, i.e., hearing spiritual knowledge. This is the foundation of all spiritual life and the quintessence of a devotee's very being. He must listen daily, hourly, throughout his life, the attributes, praises and the name of god till at last the complete meaning of what he hears becomes part and parcel of his consciousness.
Kirtana, i.e., singing the praise of God develops spirituality not only of the person who performs but also of those who listen. Riches and women are capricious allurements in this path. Music and play of the instruments should not make one forget God, but they should be aids to intensify one's zealous devotion and celestial joy.
Smarana, i.e., remembering the name of God is another aid to spiritual progress. All spiritual knowledge is revealed knowledge and we can only get it through the grace of a Sadguru. By constantly meditating on the name of God, apart from overcoming all difficulities on the path, we can realise God with delirious ecstasy.
Pada Sevana, i.e., resorting to the feet of the Guru is a means of spiritual development. If this is not physically possible, we must mentally prostrate ourselves at the feet of the Guru with reverence and humility.
Archana, i.e., worship of God is another type of devotion. This is real or mental worship of the various images of god and offering Him the best things of life, with deep yearning after God realization.
Namaskara is the same as archana, i.e., bowing down or prostrating ourselves before God or God-like person. This entails such noble qualities as humility, dedication, total surrender and patient waiting with hope and faith for the grace of God.
Dasya, i.e., service of God is possible in two ways, either through doing service which will turn the people towards God or rendering service to bhaktas is really service to God.
Sakhyata, i.e., friendship of God is a type of devotion which is most difficult to practise. Human friendship rests on a compromise of give and take policy, whereas friendship with God is uncompromising determination to give all and lose all, if need be. Our human friends may desert us in time of need, but God, though he appears indifferent to our sacrifices, really watches over us with kindness. To an impatient devotee it would appear that God does not reciprocate our love. He leaves us uncared for and disappointed. Such a devotee will become angry with God and even hate Him because our little desires are not fulfilled. God's friendship is undying, enduring and everlasting.
His grace is perennial
His grace is perennial. If there are disappointments and difficulties, we must suffer them calmly and courageously. Suffering and disappointments form an integral part of spiritual life. Without them spiritual life is not tested. The key to achieve the friendship of God is with the devotee alone. God, being the innermost reality, is enshrined in our heart and is the breath of our life. We must have firm faith and love towards God. All our thoughts, feelings and actions have their reflection in God. The more sincere and truthful we are, the more are we drawn near and bound to God. Then God becomes more than Mother, Father or Friend to us.
Atma Nivedana, i.e., the annihilation of the self or ego and achieving unity with God. This is the crowning glory of devotional life. Though there are several ways to gain this unity with God, the best means is through constant meditation on pure ideas about God. Impure ideas are got rid of. Then ^ualism yields to the dawn of advaitic experience. Through this intuitive perception tKeUadhaka is drawn towards God with magnetic fascination. Every rnoment of his life he will feel the compelling and dominating influence of God and will ultimately merge in him. Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi was one such saint who lived in holy communion with God every moment of his life. May he inspire us to tread this righteous path of devotion with concentrated vigour, fearless integrity and dauntlessness !
Om Shanti ! Shanti !! Shanti !!!
Saint Saying
GOD is ever present everywhere. His presence is constant even in the deep recesses of your heart. Whatever you do alone within the closed doors of your room, He knows and sees. What is there to wonder at in this ? He perceives even the most secret thoughts that flit through your mind and of which even you are not always fully conscious. Nothing takes place anywhere at any time which is outside God's awareness, outside His direct observation.
The Role Of The Guru
"guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara, Guru is the all-pervading Brahman," so declare the Vedas and the Upanishads. One can acquire several rare benefits by the grace of a Guru. Such is the greatness of a Sadguru! Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi is one among them and He used to declare many a time that one should have complete faith in his Guru. Guru's grace is our only Sadhana. Sri Sai Baba cautioned His devotees that they should not change Gurus. Every one should stick to his own Guru with confidence, whatever be the merits of other Gurus. Sri Sai Baba also stressed that we should realise Brahman before death and that realisation will give " Kevala Adwaita Sukham " and that it could be achieved only through the grace of a Guru.
Narada, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, is one of the great sages that our country has produced. He is always roaming about the three worlds singing the holy name of Narayana. It is said that, in his previous birth, Narada was the son of a poor and helpless widow, who was serving Mahatmas in a village. The boy took great delight in listening to their learned discourses and ate only their Uchista (leavings). Those had purified him and created in him an intense longing to realise God. As a result, he spent every miniute of his life in intense meditation and constant contemplation of God, through which he was able to have/vision of Narayana, who granted him the boon that he would be born as a great devotee in the next birth. It is obvious from this episode that there is nothing greater than the grace of a Guru.
Ekalavya became an expert in archery on account of his devotion to his Guru, Dronacharya. Tyagaraja, the saint-musician and a sincere devotee of Lord Sri Rama, stressed the importance of Bhakti in the following lines:—" Sangita Gnanamu Bhaktivina sanmargamu galade..." " Knowledge of music bereft of devotion, is valueless and cannot secure salvation."
At Shirdi, when Sri Sai Baba was in the flesh, He inaugurated the Guru Poornima by an injunction to H. V. Sathe's father-in-law, to whom he said: " Do you not know that this is Guru Poornima? Bring your worship materials and do your Pooja. " Guru Poornima, also known as Vyasa Poornima, which occurs in the month of Ashadha, is deemed a very important and sacred day from time immemorial. It is dedicated to the worship of Vyasa Bhagawan the author of the Vedas, the Maha Bharata (the fifth Veda) and the Bhagavata. In the Vishnu Sahasranamam, Vyasa has been described as 'Vishnurupaya' and Lord Vishnu as ' Vyasarupaya.' It may, therefore, be said that Vyasa is Guru-God. On the day of Guru Pooja at Shirdi, devotees used to worship the feet of Sri Sai Baba and present him shawls, coins, fruits, flowers, grain, sandal, etc. The benefits that accrue to the devotees performing Padapuja to a Guru on this auspicious day are invaluable.
It is my earnest desire and appeal that every religious institution in our country should celebrate the holy Guru Poornima in a fitting manner and that every devotee should try to stick to his own Guru and follow the principles laid down by Sri Sai Baba to attain Paramartha in this very life. May Sri Sai Baba shower His choicest blessings on all His devotees !
Om Shanti: Shanti: Shantihi.
The Easy Way To Divine Bliss
The Saint of Dakshineswar, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, has said that the way to reach God in this Kali Yuga is by love and that four things are asked of everyone who would tread this path, They are :
1. Sing God's name (Nama) and His Divine glories (Vibhuthis).
2. Keep holy company (Satsang) and avoid worldliness.
3. Do your daily duty that falls to your lot without egoism; while doing it (nishkamya bhav), do it as sacrifice to god (Iswararpana) and never forget Him.
Always have longing in your heart for God realisation and let that longing reflect itself in tears. People, Sri Ramakrishna said, weep for children, for wife, for honours of this earth to satiate their fleeting desires. How many weep for God ? " Weep for the Divine Mother ", the saint says, " She will not leave Her child in desolation. She will surely come and greet you and lift you up to her lap."
Mukta Bai, a girl of only fourteen, said that if one loves the Lord more than the most precious thing in the world surely one will be drawn to His Lotus feet when one's life on earth comes to an end. The great Adi Sankara, the apostle of Advaita Siddhantam, said that among the instruments of " Mukti ", " Bhakti" is the easiest and that by Para Bhakti the mind is completely rid of all impurities and Vasanas, and is drawn towards the Lord. With the Lord's Grace, he said, the clouds of ignorance in the mind of the devotee that stand as a barrier disappear quickly. Wisdom shines forth like the Sun in all brilliance and the individual (Jivatma) becomes one -smrf with the Paramatma. Sri Sankara's immortal song, "Bhaja Govindam", points this out clearly. Saradamani Devi (The Holy Mother) stressed the need for full concentration while meditating on God, and said that repeating the name of God once with the mind controlled full of devotion is equivalent to a million repetitions with the mind away from God.
You may have an idea of what constitutes Bhakti and how every one of us old and young, men and women, rich and poor strong and disabled, cultured and uncultured—can follow the path of devotion to attain salvation. To be deeply devoted to God, we should have an idea in the first place. God is everywhere. There is no place where He is not. Everything rests in Him. He resides in the heart of every being. He is in the King, in the beggar, in the animal, in the minutest worm, in plants and also in inanimate objects. That is why in the Gita the Lord said, " He who seeth Me everywhere and seeth everything in Me, of Him I will never lose hold and he shall never lose hold of Me."
The Lord further said that Yogi who worships God abiding in all beings liveth in Him for ever, whatever his mode of living. For this reason the Lord has emphasized in the Eleventh Chapter of the Gita that the devotee who dedicates every act to God and does not have hatred towards any being is very dear to Him. The Lord appeared in a stone pillar to save his devotee in distress (Prahlada). The devotion of Akrura is regarded as the purest for the reason that God is most dear to one who is by very nature and disposition kind to all creatures. Gautama Buddha also has taught us the greatness of Ahimsa (non-cruelty to beings) and the superiority of love for all. As a true disciple of Jesus Christ Saint Francis loved all creatures. To him all things were sacred -and nature was an image of God. " Animals and plants are creation of my Heavenly Father," said He and took delight in flowers and embraced all creatures in love. He carried little worms to the roadside saying to himself, " Am I not a tiny worm?"
In short this should be the general outlook of every devotee who is sincere to attain emancipation by following the path of Love. He should commit to his memory the grand truth contained in those famous lines of Coleridge :
"He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small ; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all."
May Sri Sai Baba guide us all in the path of devotion and bless us !
Always Trust Your Guru
in the meshes of the materialism of the present times, religion fails to evoke any thought or attention. Religion in its simple significance is faith in truth, which is but one of the several epithets of the Supreme One.
Faith is the state of mind towards the All Supreme. It is a devotional surrender for the protection and Grace of the Lord.
Sri Sai Baba preferred the sadhanas involving faith and bhakti. He advocated worship of several things—images, coins pictures, padukas etc. He has no mean place for the Guru, the giver oflhana and the solidifier of faith.
The path to the goal is rugged, and Sri Sai Baba warns us that it is infested with hungry wolves and tigers and with yawning pits to negotiate and stresses the need for a guide or Guru. In brief, the attainment of Jnana is largely dependent upon our Guru.
To aspirants for Jnana, the mere acquisition of a Guru alone can never suffice. Lucky indeed must be he that finds the proper guru at whose feet he is privileged to sit and learn. Hindus, before they start on any of their prayers, first invoke their Gurus to lead them aright and to be acceptable to their Gods. A subjugation of the mind and will and absolute faith in the Guru are the essentials of a true Bhakta.
Sri Sai says: " Stick to your own Guru with unabated faith whatever the merits of the other Gurus. We must not give up our attachment to our own Guru but even more firmly rest in Him and Him alone."
Ajar kept in water is full of water inside and outside. Thus the soul immersed in God sees the all pervading spirit within and without
No Mukti Without Bhakti
Neither by reciting the Vedas nor by acting up to the Sastraic injuctions I am. attainable; but one who meditates on Me with adoration gets at Me easily and I am with Him" says the Bhagvan in " Siva Gita."
However much the devotee suffers he should not give up his devotion to God. This is best illustrated from the life of Tukaram.
There was a Brahmin at Dehu (in Maharashtra) by name Ramachandra Bhatt. Being a great Pandit and a strict follower of Sanatana Dharma, Bhat was greatly perturbed by the doings of Tukaram. One day he approached the village chief and said : " Tukaram is a Sudra by birth ; yet not only has he learned the Vedas but also is imparting the sacred lore to men of all castes. He is abusing the Karma Yoga established by ancient rishis and proclaming the supremacy of Bhakthi Yoga. With the aid of his melodious music, he attracts many followers to the detriment of Vedic religion." He requested the chief to punish Tukaram and save the Vedic religion. The chief ordered the village Patil to expel Tukaram from the village.
Coming to know of this, Tukaram sought the help of Ramachandra Bhat. He accosted the latter while the latter was bathing in the river Indrani. On seeing Tukaram, Bhat flared up at him, " You are spoiling the Varnashrama Dharma. You disregard the Vedas and Sastras of yore. Your abhangams make the hearers commit sinful acts." He asked him not to sing abhangams any more.
Stricken with sorrow at these words, Tukaram quiety asked what should become of those abhangams he had already sung. He got the answer that they should be thrown into the Indrani. Sad at heart Tukaram bundled his abhangams and nearing the Vjtoba temple, prayed : " Oh Lord, once you ordained me to sing abhangams and now you enjoin me through Ramachandra Bhat to cast them away into the river." So crying, he threw his compositions into the Indrani and left the place.
This news spread to the village of Dehu and the neighbouring villages. That night to many of the villagers, God Vitoba appeared in dream and asked them to get the abhangams from the river and restore them to Tukararn. They did so. Some days after Ramachandra Bhat went to a holy place with his daughter. There he was bathing in a well in a garden belonging to a Muslim fakir. The fakir wanted to know who he was. Enraged at being spoken to by a non Hindu, Ramachandra Bhat hurled abuse at the fakir who replied in hindi. Bath over, Ramachandra Bhat began to feel a burning sensation over his entire frame. He could not sit, stand or He down. Not knowing what to do, he went to the Gnaneswari Math and there prayed and slept. Gnaneswari appeared in his dream and said that the burning was the result of teasing Tukaram and unless he begged his pardon, there was no way of escape.
Bhat was on the horns of a dilemma. He was ashamed to seek the help of Tukaram. But seeing no way of escape, he wrote a letter to Tukaram detailing his sufferings. He got back a reply from Tukaram which said: "One whose mind is spotless and pure has no enemies. To him all creatures are alike. Fall at the feet of Vitoba." When he finished reading, Bhat felt free from the burning sensation. Realising the greatness of Tukaram, he started out to meet him. Tukaram coming to know of this, approached him and made his obeisance. Bhat prostrated himself before Tukaram and entreated his pardon for his misdeeds. He became an ardent disciple of Tukaram and commenced his bhajans with Tukaram's abhangams.
A true Bhakta is always near God.
STICK ON YOUR GURU
*Stick to your own Guru with unabated faith, whatever the merits of other Gurus and however little the merits of your own.
GOD manifests all his powers for the benefit of His devotees.
The cries of all jackals are the same- So are the teachings of all the wise ones the same.
Like Fans are redundant when the wind blows; prayers and penances may be given up when the grace of God descends.
FATE
**When you undertake anything, carry it out thoroughly or do not undertake it.
Fate is more powerful than human effort.
Ambition destroys the understanding of men
Where there is Dharma, there sorely will be Victory
A heart full of hate can know no contentment. Hate is a cruel fire.
Not by studying any sastra does mart become wise. It is by association with the great in Wisdom that he gets-wisdom.
Courage is man’s salvation in danger.
CHARITY
The sacred places are the best for doling out charity.
'Greed leads to misery, scandal to sin, and bad luck to poverty»
God speaks to us in several ways, by day and by night, in silence or in sound. Over the whole earth are His mighty forces employed, and over the oceans are His ways observed.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatever a soweth, that shall he also reap.
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; but he that loseth his life shall find it unto Life Eternal.
ANGER
Anger is a deadly enemy. It is an enemy possessed of an endless mouth. It is a sword Whose edge is extremely sharp. Whatever self-restraint and benevolence one may practice, all that is destroyed due to anger. Therefore, one should renounce anger.
"In the course of One's talk one should scrupulously speak truthful, agreeable, measured and wholesome words.
—One should always shun a raised seat and a high office.
If two or more persons are talking apart, one should not thrust Oneself into their presence without their consent,
Depend on God
''One should always depend on God. This will enhance one's fortitude, valour, sagacity, fearlessness, and spiritual stamina.
There is no glory like divine glory.
There is no penance higher than truthfulness.
'For a pious man the glory of a saint cannot be over estimated ; for, the glory of saints is infinite.
So long as your mind, your intellect, does not take to the thoughts of God, so long as your mind is not constantly devoted to the thought of the Lord, external aids are of no avail.
'He whose wants are never satisfied is never rid of his poverty, to whatever position he may outwardly attain, and so long as poverty is there he will ever feel miserable and wretched.
Short Life
A short life is preferable if devoted to the remembrance of God. A life of one lakh years (withou devotion of God) is of no use at all.
.'Truth is as impossible to be soiled by any outward touch as the sunbeam.
''Truth is like light and falsehood is like darkness; Only those creatures who are fallen and degraded can' enjoy darkness and falsehood.
If you do good and surrender it to God, good will come to you. God is the Lord of them that do good.
Thoughts
should watch our thoughts. If we hold kind thoughts, we do kind acts. If we feel envy, jealousy, malice, it is shown in our lives, for it brings discontent and unhappines
The noblest Vengeance is to forgive
By three methods we learn wisdom; first by reflection which is the noblest; second, by imitation which is the easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Disease is the tax which the soul pays for the use of the body as the tenant pays house rent for the use of the body
Eat to your satisfaction in the day but let your meal at night be light and small in quantity.
Happiness is contagious. One cannot be happy Without expressing it towards one's neighbour and to all the world. Let us seek to give happiness to others and we shall get it ourselves.
To get good is animal, to do good is human, to be good is divine.
Unhappiness
Unhappiness comes from the-wrong view points, from worry, dissipation of energy, fear of the future regret for the past. Stop all this mental agitation and unhappiness ceases.
Very often we place false value upon ourselves and think we are great, good and all that. God above is great and good.
To suffer for the sake of truth or God, it is a glorious human privilege. Such suffering brings you nearer to Him.
How To Overcome Maya
why does not man's mind dwell on God ? More powerful than God is His Mahamaya, His power of Illusion. God has covered us all with his maya. He is near, still it is not possible for us to see Him or know His ways.
Once Narada besought the Lord of the Universe : " Lord, show me that maya of Thine, which can make the impossible possible." The Lord nodded assent. Sometime later, so the Puranic story goas, the Lord went out with Narada. After covering some distance, he felt thirsty. Narada went away in quest of water.
Finding no water nearby, he proceeded far from the place and saw a river at a great distance. He beheld sitting on the river bank a most charming young lady. He was captivated by her beauty. She began to address him in sweet words and ere long, he fell in love with her. He then married her and settled down as a house-holder.
In due course, he had a number of children by her. He was thus living with his wife and children happily for sometime. Soon a pestilence came to the country, death began to take its toll from every home. Narada proposed to leave the place and go to a safe place. His wife agreed. They left their home, leading their children by hand. But, no sooner had they come to the bridge to cross the river than came a terrible flood and in the rush of water all his children were swept away, one after another. His wife too was drowned.
Overwhelmed with grief Narada sat down on the river bank and began to weep piteously. Just then, the Lord appeared and said, " Narada, where is the water ? Why are you weeping? "The sight of the Lord startled the sage. He soon realised everything.
He exclaimed, " Lord, my obeisance to Thee, and my obeisance to Thy wonderful maya." So, everyone is under the spell of this world bewitching maya. This maya is like a cloud. The sun cannot be seen on account of this screen of the cloud. When the clouds disappear, one sees the sun. If by the grace of the Guru one's ego vanishes, then one sees God.
God's grace
God's grace is never for him who is indolent and negligent. God's grace is for him who is persevering and industrious.
Weakness is felt only when God is forgotten. And the simple way to remember Him is to take His name constantly.
A miracle can be a moment's wonder. A change according to the Divine law can alone endure.
Always when one faces difficulties and overcomes them it brings a new spiritual feeling of victory.
It is by their own actions good or bad that men are happy or miserable. The virtues or vices of others will not affect us in the least.
Spiritual life
why not make a habit of using some of our spare time for turning inwards in search of spiritual interests, adventures and experience ? This will be more thrilling than any of other purely temporal interests.
Spiritual life has to be lived all day long ; otherwise, it will be many years or even lives before we begin to unlock the deeper powers of the soul and enter into the wider vision of life.
A suffering world is calling to us ; within us is the power to heal waiting to be discovered and released. Great sages and saints like Sri Sai Baba, who are out to serve the world, are eagerly watching to see who next is coming to them to share their agelong and tireless labours. Shall we, then, not find time to turn inwards and seek the God within so that we may reveal Him to others and so that spiritual life may become a living reality to us and to them ?
The spiritual realist must bring everything down to.the matter of fact in everyday life. He must make his philosophy and his doctrines apply to the problems of the world and bring all his faculties to the search for their solution. Every aspirant for spiritual life should remember the following nine points as the cardinal points of his spiritual compass to guide him in the ocean of life, to reach the heaven of God realization : —
1. The aspirant must make frequent, impartial and dispassionate self-examinations.
2. We must trace the errors and deficiencies, which examinations reveal to their source in the inner nature and decide upon the best method of eliminating them. A weakness is always found to be due to the absence of a virtue, e. g., worry arising out of fear ; try to build up faith and courage.
3. The aspirant should pay daily, hourly attention to conduct, speech, feeling and thought, continually checking looseness, impurity, coarseness, general lack of tone and any other particular error revealed by the regular reviews.
He should deliberately mould his character nearer to the ideal, "Live nobly", and refine life until its nature becomes truly spiritual.
4. The aspirant should continually repeat the act of self-dedication. Daily and hourly, he should renew the consecra-tion of the whole] life to the service of God and live in the light of his consecration.
5. The aspirant should perform regular meditation. He should rather treat meditation as a great adventure in the inner worlds. We are bound to win in the end, though we may seem to fail at first. Meditation, if successful, produces a sense of actual union or of stepping into and becoming one with the glorious light of the higher consciousness and of being, identified with that light rather than with the shadows cast upon the lower world.
The meditation should consist of four elements :
(a) Meditation directed towards gaining expansion of consciousness and deepening the realisation of spiritual verities.
(b) The refinement of vehicles—emotion, mind, etc.
(c) The acquisition of virtues and the overcoming of every weakness.
(d) The radiation of love over the whole world.
6. The aspirant should strive to win a living realiszation of the actual existense of God, both as a divine and perfect conciousness within every man and as the saviour of man
7. The aspirant should bear the presence and blessings of God everywhere and live as though He were actually present all the time.
8. The aspirant should watch continually for wider fields of pouring the blessings and the healing love of God upon the world.
9. The spiritual aspirant should build in, especially, the three virtues which form the basis of the spiritual life. He should strive in all things to be strong, humble and pure.
Bane Of Worldliness
GOD is like the wish-yielding tree of the celestial world (Kalpataru) which gives whatever one asks of it. So one should be careful to give up all worldly desires when one's mind has been purified by religious exercises. Just listen to a story:
A certain traveller came to a large plain in the course of his travels. As he had been walking in the sun for many hours, he was thoroughly exhausted and was heavily perspiring; so he sat down in the shade of a tree to rest a little. Presently he began to think what a comfort it would be if he could but get a soft bed there to sleep on. He was not aware that he was sitting under the celestial tree. ,
As soon as the thought arose- in his mind, he found a nice bed by his side. He felt much astonished, but all the same stretched himself on it. Now he thought to himself how pleasant it would be were a young damsel to come there and gently stroke his legs. No sooner did the thought arise in his mind than he found a young damsel sitting at his feet and stroking his legs. The traveller felt supremely happy. . ...
Presently he felt hungry and thought: "I have got whatever I wished for; could I not then get some food ?" Instantly he found various kinds of delicious food spread before him. He at once fell to eating, and having helped himself to his heart's content, stretched himself again on his bed. He now began to revolve in his mind the events of the day. While thus occupied he thought, "If a tiger should attack me all of a sudden?" In an instant a large tiger jumped upon him and broke his neck and began to drink his blood. In this way the traveller lost his life.
Such is the fate of men in general. If during your meditation you pray for men or money or worldly honours, your desires will, no doubt, be satisfied to some extent; but, mind you. there is the dread of the tiger behind the gifts you get. Those tigers, disease, bereavements, loss of honour and wealth, etc., are a thousand times more terrible than the live tiger.
Hope and Peace
Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi is bringing a message of hope and peace to His devotees and is showering His choicest blessings on all irrespective of caste, creed or colour. The saint lives and moves and makes Himself felt in all upright and righteous actions. His message is simply this: Universal fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man. His mission is that service gft man kfservice of God.
Baba blesses all who see Him in every creature and who set before themselves the ideal of service to all creatures on earth. To such of His devotees as follow in His footsteps, He is the sole guide, philosopher and God. May all His devotees follow His example of love and service and convert the land we live in into a garden of Eden !
Just as He quickly responds to the call of His devotees in spite of long distance so He expects all to show their unswerving devotion to Him in all their deeds, words, and thoughts. Baba expects His devotees to serve the above ideal by deep and abiding faith in Him and by complete surrender to Him. One who follows His footsteps with the above conditions is sure to secure a seat in the heart of Baba and become merged in Him and is sure to get all the benefits (moral, material and spiritual).
Mind And Its Mischief
In the days when Nawabs were ruling, one of them had Nanak brought by force before him. The Nawab asked Nanak why he did not come when sent for. Nanak replied that he was no longer under his command, but he was devoted to God only. The Nawab replied that if Nanak had become a devotee of God, the Nawab also had become a devotee of the Almighty. He ordered Nanak to go to the musjid on Friday to offer prayers to God along with the Nawab.
As God is all pervading. Nanak agreed to go to the musjid with the Nawab all paraphernalia and and accompanied by famous Khajis Nanak began to offer prayers. All Mohammadans, according to their ancient custom, began to pray on their bended knees. But Nanak was standing.
After the prayers were over, the Nawab, observing Nanak standing during prayer, questioned him as to whether he came there to offer prayers along with him or to simply stand. Then Nanak with his power of devotion was able to read what was passing in the mind of the Nawab and replied that he could not offer prayers along with the Nawab as the Nawab was all along thinking of bargaining for horses at Gandhara.
Then the Khaji who was sent by the Nawab questioned Nanak as to why he did not offer prayers with him at least. Then Nanak who was always devoted to God calmly replied that he was unable to offer prayers along with him as the Khaji's mind during prayers was oppressed with the idea that his young colt might fall into the pit which was in the compound wall.
When they heard this, the Nawab and the Khaji stared at each other and hung their heads in shame as their mind was not really at prayer though they were physically in the musjid.
The above incident clearly demonstrates the incalculable mischief and uncontrollable nature of mind. Devotees must devoutly try to bring mind under control by constant practice and make it steady as Sri Krishna taught Arjuna to attain God's bliss.
GRACE
Grace is equally for all. But it is received according to the sincerity of each one. It does not depend on outward circumstances but on sincere aspiration and openness.
Stand above the petty praise and blame of the world.
Ending Social Evils
A constant conflict takes place between Dharma and Adharma or good and bad. Adharma generally entices a person to perform unworthy deeds. However, ultimately the Dharma triumphs and the good comes out victorious in the final battle. But a strong fight has to be put up against the bad to subdue it.
All our Puranas, or mythological tales lend huge support to this truth which in fact is the very essence of our scriptures. A careful scrutiny of our Puranas will also reveal that man, endeavouring to subdue evil, should necessarily establish a rapport between himself and the Almighty. Only this rapproache-ment gives the man the necessary strength and courage to fight Adharma. It also saves him from falling into the depths of lust.
Vijayadasami, also well-known as Dasara or Ramlila, is one of the popular festivals observed in our country. It can be regarded as the final of the Navaratris or the nine nights. During these nine nights, it is said that Devi, also called Maha Maya, incarnated Herself as Maha Kali, Mahishasuramardini, Maha-saraswathi, Durga etc., The Devi in all her incarnations destroyed the wicked, protecting the good. Thereby the Goddess has proved that Dharma will prevail over Adharma. Needless to mention, therefore, that the observance of Vijayadasami is still relevant.
We, in our country, have successfully solved a number of problems. Still, social evils like dowry and others confront society and they should be put an end to. At this juncture, I would like to mention that the noble teaching^ of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, the embodiment of love and truth, will, if put into practice, effectively eradicate these social evils. It is noteworthy that Sri Sai Baba's teachings are gaining added importance as days pass by. Baba will be a tower of unfailing strength to all those who repose implicit confidence in Him and who completely surrender themselves to Him.
Spiritual Maxims
When visiting a sage or going to a temple, you should never go empty-handed. You have to take something, however trifling, as an offering. Bow your head where others are bowing. Veneration never goes unrewarded. Remain always strong and steadfast in your own faith, but eschew all bigotry and intolerance,
Anger is a sign of Tamas In anger man loses all discrimination. Hanuman set fire to Lanka, but he had not the sense then to apprehend that it might burn even the place where Sita Was staying.
Men are quick to blame; so pay no heed to what others speak of you. In living your life of peace and virtue, be nidifferent alike to the praise and censure of mankind. One develops various propensities according to the company one moves in. And again one seeks the company congenial to one's own propensities. " Gurus can be had by hundreds and thousands, but of chelas (disciples) there is not one" is an ancient saying. It means that many are the persons who can give good advice, but those who follow it are few.
"Sin, like mercury is hard to digest. As long as you live, learn every day the mysteries of love and devotion. It will be to your advantage always. Heaven sometimes speaks through the mouths of lunatics, drunkards and children. The devil never enters the house wherein songs in praise of Hari are always sung. There is no fire like lust; no sin like hate ; no sorrow like the sorrow of existence : no happiness is greater than peace of mind.
He who is wholly free from lust knows neither sorrow nor fear. From lust springs sorrow, from lust springs fear.
Paths to Immortality
In the kingdom of God reason, intellect, and learning are of no avail. There the dumb speak, the blind see, and the deaf hear.
'When the grace of the Almighty descends on any one, he immediately understands his mistakes ; knowing this you should not dispute.
Visit not the miracle mongers and those who exhibit occult powers. These men are stragglers from the path of truth. Their minds have become entangled in psychic powers, which are like veritable meshes in the way of the pilgrim to Brahman. Beware of these powers, and desire them not.
"No quality will get a man more friends than a disposition to admire the qualities of others.
The mind that is much arrogant and insolent with prospefl but is cast down with adversity is generally abject and base. Watch lest prosperity destroy generosity. Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.
When the world blames and slanders us, our business is not to be vexed at it, but rather to consider whether there is any foundation for it, any truth at bottom,
The contagion of cheer has a wonderful effect. It transforms fog into light, depression into brightness, sickness into health. It should be taught in all schools before anything else.
Hope, Your Guardian Genius
"The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice you give to others.
Things that make us age, our hair white and our faces wrinkled are worry, doubt, fear and inability to smile. A spirit of cheerfulness and happy thoughts will keep all these things away.
Anger makes a rich man hated and a poor man scorned.
"If things seem to go wrong, don't blame God. Search out your own mind and if you probe deeply, you will find there the root of all troubles.
'We were created for brotherhood, not for international strife. Let us educate our young to become heroes of peace rather than martyrs of war. Unless we do/ we cannot eliminate war. C/ic.5
- The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. It is probable that He also loveth a cheerful loser.
Confidence imparts wondrous inspiration to its possessor. It bears him on in security either to meet danger or to find matter of glorious trial.
A poor man wants only wants few things ; a covetous man all things.
'Difficulties are sent to be overcome. The weakling will collapse in the face of difficulties. The strong will be up and doing. Confidence makes man strong; therefore have confidence in your self and in your work.
Against lies, calumnies, etc., dignity is the only weapon. Never let any one see that anything said by your enemies has touched you. In short, act as if you did not dream you had enemies.
The truest sign of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.
'Little failings eat holes in the citadel of character.
-Friendship is to be purchased only by friendship. A man may have authority over others; but he can never have their heart but by giving his own.
" Return good for evil; love begets love; hatred begets hatred.
The practical values of religion are inspiring vision, unfailing energy, unlimited patience. We must get back to the right attitude towards one another before peace and prosperity can return to the world.
If you wish success in life, make perserverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counsellor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian angel.
Look Up, Climb, Be Happy
"A good conscience makes for great happiness. In that a clean mind is ever a joyful possession. A true conscience cares not for false accusations, or poverty or discomfort within.
'True courage and courtesy always go hand in hand. The bravest men are the most forgiving and the most anxious to avoid quarrels.
The easiest thing of all is to deceive one's self; for what a man wishes he generally believes to be true.
Democracy is belief in the conviction that there extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.
Set a bound to your desires. Think not of how much others have, but of how much which they have you can do perfectly well without. Be not the slaves of show or circumstances.
Little reading, much thinking, little speaking and much hearing ; that is the way to be wise.
He that showeth mercy when it may be best spared will receive mercy when it shall be most needed.
The Creator has bidden every man to look up, not down, to climb, not to grovel. No man can be successful who is always talking about depression.
A courageous foe is better than a cowardly friend.
Stop your criticism of others. Dont worry about the faults of your neighbour rather look to your own. You will probably find more soot in your chimney than in the chimneys of others.
Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes it.
'Unless you are deliberately kind to every creature, you will often be cruel to many.
It is not fair to judge an apple tree by the worst apple on it, nor a man by his meanest deed or speech. to
Give every man the ear, but few the voice, take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
They ask me for secrets of holiness; for myself I know no secret than to love God with all my heart and my neighbour (which is all mankind) as myself.
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their
pleasure takes joy, as if it were his own.
It is easy to bask in the sunshine of prosperity. The crucial test of a nation, as of
an individual, is its conduct under hardship and adversity.
'' What is the root of evil ? Craving, hatred and delusion. And what is the root of
good ? To be free from craving, hatred and delusion is the root of good.
LIFE
life in the face from the soul's inner strength and become master of circumstances
GOOD WORK
live in the world or to leave it depends upon the will of God. Therefore work, leaving everything to him, What else can you do ?
GOD
God places us in our respective situations which, however miserable or happy they may be from the external point of view, are always for our good.
lf you are in right earnest to learn the mysteries of God, He will send you the Sadguru, the right teacher. You need not trouble yourself about finding out a Guru.
'"There is always a shadow under the lamp, while its light illumines the surrounding objects. So men in the immediate proximity of a prophet do not understand him. Those who live far off are charmed by his spiritual glow and his extraordinary powers.
A man gets anything he wishes if he makes efforts like Bhagiratha.
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