PRAYER
(At Dwaraka)
May the wicked turn good;
May the good attain peace;
May the peaceful be freed from all bondage, and
May the liberated redeem others;
May everybody be happy;
May everybody be freed from disease;
May everybody have good luck;
May none fall on evil days;
May everybody surmount difficulties;
May everybody have good fortune;
May everybody realise his ambitions,
May everybody rejoice every where.
- Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji.
SAIPADANANDA
A Thought
Your life is in your hands. Do not fritter it away in pursuits of momentary value.
Seek the Eternal. Realize the Eternal. This is your goal. Do not forget it.
- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Contents
1. Editorial
2. Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder?
3. Disciplines of Devotion
4. Power of Guru
5. Greatness of Vishnu Sahasra Nama
6. Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
7. The Source of Inspiration
8. Unusual Devotee takes to Sahasranamam
9. Portraits of Swamiji’s Installed
10. 19th Aradhana of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
11. Saipadananda's Sayings : Booklet Released
12. Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood Get-Together
13. Exciting Experience of an Author
14. Twentieth year of Mahasamadhi of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
15. Sri Sivanesan Swamiji's Third Mahasamadhi
16. To the other shore
Editorial
Lasting Happiness
We have heard the expression ‘climbing the ladder of success’ so frequently that
its importance is lost in its triteness and simplicity. We know that a ladder is
nothing but a tool - an instrument to accomplish something or reach something.
Likewise, our life or human existence is a tool for achieving goals.
Let us see how revealing and symbolic the ladder is. First a ladder is designed
for vertical and not horizontal use. It is to be utilized for an upward climb. A
ladder cannot be climbed except by using one rung at a time. Just as people do
not sprint to success but follow step by step, a ladder offers a progressive
means. We use each step to reach greater heights. If we try to skip a rung,
disaster is imminent. No shortcuts or undue haste can give solid progress.
Perhaps the most visible similarity between human life and a ladder is that it
requires effort to ascend. Not everyone is willing to pay the price of effort and
sacrifice. In his work, 'Life of Sai Baba', Sri Narasimha Swamiji emphasizes the
point on effort. He says: "What is that one cannot achieve through this human
body? If one strives regularly one can accomplish anything. The sturdy stones
around a well are cut gradually by a soft rope that rubs against it while drawing
water. Likewise one who regularly endeavors to rid himself of his baser instincts
becomes free of them." Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji opined that constant recitation
of 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam' inspires a devotee to perform righteous, moral action
and to battle with his baser instincts. Worldly indulgence dulls the individual.
If a ladder is placed on uneven ground the risk of falling or disaster is great.
Neglect and misuse also court failure. Similarly, one can never hope to achieve
lasting success or happiness if human existence is based on immoral and nonspiritual grounds. The basic ingredients of patience, effort, sincerity, morality and
spirituality form the core in attaining the stratosphere of happiness, success and
fulfillment.
Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder?
By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Worth Living
Believe that life is worth living-and you will see that it is so.
- J. P. Vaswani
All people are informed of Sai Baba's glorious nature and deeds, his wonderful
help in matters of this world and beyond, some exclaim, "Why do you ask me to
give up my old loyalties to my Ishta Devata Rama and Krishna and my guru with
his guru mantra and sadhanas ?" Some even go further and condemn what they
call the creation of a new cult with a new god through "violent methods of
propaganda and proselytism so foreign to the satvic ideals of "Hinduism." Let us
pause to analyze and examine each of these objections.
The first sets of objectors are using leading or misleading questions. "Have you
left off beating your mother? Answer yes or no", if put to a witness who has not
admitted that he ever beat his mother, is usually quoted as an example of this
objectionable question. The short answer to this set of questioners is that neither
Baba, nor any true devotee of his ever asks people to give up their loyalties to
their gods, gurus or guru sampradayas etc. but in spite of this declaration, these
objectors often repeat their question, though some are satisfied when the
following facts are narrated to them.
Baba did not wish Hindus to give up their religion, to embrace Islam or
Christianity. Once a Hindu recently converted to Islam was brought to Baba who
asked him then, "Have you given up the father that begot you and taken another
father?"
Baba first dissuaded Hindus, who ran up to worship him and directed them to go
back and worship the stone gods, which their fathers worshipped and allowed
them finally to worship him in addition to and not in substitution of their old gods.
When a man approached Baba with the fear tucking at his heart that he was
doing gurudroham to his former guru in approaching a new guru, Baba sent him
away. Where another approached him with the same fear, Baba expressly told
him that one's previous gurus and guru mantra and guru sampradaya etc.,
should not be given up, however little their apparent merit and however great the
merits of other gurus might be or seem.
To a third man, who had already obtained gurumantram from his guru and yet
light-heartedly applied to Baba to make himself the guru, Baba's answer was that
no guru was necessary and all that the man had to do was to dive within him and
see himself-Adwaitic line being evidently that man's hereditary or chosen marga.
Baba generally added the assurance that by intensifying one's own guru, be that
guru even a mere potsherd, one is sure to achieve one's objects, including even
moksha.
If one had no other pre-existing loyalties and came to Baba to treat him as one's
Guru-God and his name as the sacred guru mantra, Baba allowed and even
encouraged it. To such people, Baba even touched his own pictures and
presented or returned the same for worship, and assured people that he resided
in the picture thus worshipped, and even gave proofs of such residence. Baba,
however, never gave any picture or other object to Moslems or Christians that
had a strong aversion to the worship of objects. Baba never disturbed the faith of
people in their own scriptures.
Building or creation is a complex process, and involves the replacing of old forms
by new ones. Though the old order change giving place to the new, in god's plan,
several people stick to their old forms and these are called superstitions. But
instead of applying opprobrious epithets to these, it is better to allay their fears by
demonstrating that apparent destruction by God of the old is an indispensable
part of His constructive work and that really destruction is construction in such
cases. When in the march of evolution, the single cell bursts into two, the death
of the old is the birth of the new. Even where highly complex organisms with sex
characteristics differentiated, the older must wear out and die before the younger
are born and developed.
The old dilapidated temple however sacred must be pulled down before the new
beautiful temple is built on the same site. Similarly, though Baba assures people
of his respect for old forms, old gods and gurus, what happens often is that a
new strong, vigorous, charming and fruitful faith in Sai Baba replaces the old
decadent profession of faith in one's older gods and gurus. But do those enjoying
the new faith deplore the loss of the old or even declare that they have lost
anything? In fact, they have lost nothing really. What has been given up was not
any living faith. People should not give up their living and fruitful faith in Rama,
Krishna, etc. and in their gurus. They never do give up such faith.
A more recent instance occurring at Kumbakonam may be repeated. A staunch
Vaishnavite Brahmin was worshipping God as Tirupati Venkatesa and refused to
pay any regard to any other form. He was ailing from very acute and painful
Sciatica and Rheumatism. His son-in-law gave him Baba's udhi and asked him to
repeat Sai Baba's name with faith. At first, he resisted this attempt to subvert his
faith in Venkatesa, as he termed it. But necessity is the mother of faith.
One night, when the pain in his body could not be endured any further, he
suddenly took Baba's udhi and applied it to his legs thrice, calling on Sai Baba to
remove his pain. The effect was instantaneous. The pain was off. Sleep that he
could never obtain instantly supervened. He woke up in the morning freed from
sciatica and was able to walk. He first thought that Venkatesa had led him into
faith in Baba. He finally discovered that Baba was Venkatesa. Baba's Guru being
Venkatesa, or one that had merged his self in Venkatesa. In fact, there is only
one God, however necessary it may be to start one's faith in God by localizing
God and attaching a particular form and name to Him.
Sai enables men ultimately to see that the fruit of former faith is the present faith,
that Sai is no other than the Old Ishta Devata and guru and that the unifying and
harmonizing influence molding their lives and selves points and leads to that
ultimate unity-Sai-chit-Ananda. Such experience has come to several. Reader, if
it has not come to you yet, you also may get it one day. It is your own God who
draws you through the Sai form.
Freedom
The truly blessed are those who, flinging freedom aside, have clung to Thy
Lotus-feet;
In pain is their gain;
In defeat is their joy;
In sorrow is their dawn of awakening;
In suffering is their victory!
And to those that smite them, they give their smiles!
And to those that persecute them they send out the benedictions of their lovefilled hearts!
They are the truly free! They have broken all fetters-Aye, even the fetter of
freedom!
Disciplines of Devotion
By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Sadguru Sri Sai Baba said:
I rest there where there is devotion. Believe in Me, Remember Me always. Have
patience and faith, then I will always be with you, wherever you are at all times.
Srimad Bhagavatam states that all genuine spiritual disciplines are parts of
bhaktiyoga, the yoga of devotion. In this scripture the Lord declares that He can
be grasped only through devotion, for morality, pursuit of truth, and charity,
though good in them, cannot purify the soul if devoid of devotion. The human
spirit shines, rid of all its dross, only when put into the fire of devotion.
The scripture nonetheless recognizes the distinctiveness of the three yogas
namely; jnana yoga (path of knowledge), karma yoga (path of action), and bhakti.
Sometimes it speaks of yogas being only two, of jnana and bhakti, that of karma
being only preparatory to them.
To seekers of a very high standard of renunciation, jnana yoga is prescribed;
karma yoga to those who are moved by desires, and bhaktiyoga to those who get
chance to listen to the praises of the Lord and feel strongly drawn to Him, but are
only partially fit for renunciation.
By this the Bhagavatam is not downgrading devotion, which it considers to be the
highest goal attainable by an individual and which it considers unavoidable for
success even to a seeker on the path of knowledge (jnana).
However, devotion can be practiced even by one with less intellectual
endowment. While a jnana aspirant has to rely on his own strength, the devotee
is always backed by the Lord, whom he approaches in a personal relationship
and who responds to him accordingly.
Lord Krishna says: "A genuine devotee of mine, even if he happens to be
temporarily subjugated by sense objects, is never lost. He is backed by the
power of his devotion to Me."
According to the Bhagavatam, devotional discipline, which generates both
dispassion for worldly objects and knowledge of God, is a natural and
simultaneous process of spiritual evolution, despite initial deficiencies. It is thus
compared to eating a ball of rice, producing simultaneously satisfaction of
hunger, strength of body, and the pleasure of eating.
Specific Practices
Faith, the first stage of true devotion, is a state of mind in which the spiritual
value is accepted as more fundamental than any other, and man shows
readiness to sacrifice and strive for it. The very important part that holy company
plays in generating faith is stressed all through the Bhagavatam.
For men of faith who want to develop the second and third stages of devotion,
namely, attachment and loving devotion for God, the Bhagavatam prescribes a
course of discipline called Bhagavatha Dharma (right way of living), which is
applicable to all men of right intentions. It is claimed to be easier and more
practicable than the disciplines prescribed by the Vedas and Yoga Sastras
.
"For aspirants who are not learned in the Vedas and other scriptures, the Lord
has given the path of devotion as an easy way of attaining to Him," says the
Bhagavatam. "A person following this path never sustains any spiritual fall. Even
if he runs along this path with eyes closed, his feet do not slip and he does not
topple down. Whatever a devotee does with body, mind, senses, intellect, or
spirit not necessarily scripture-ordained duties, but all activities natural to him - let
him consecrate it all to the Lord Narayana, by making them an offering unto
Him."
It is comparatively easy for a man to make a show of devotion by chanting,
attending discourses and devotional recitals, worshiping, serving holy images,
but if he is full of what the Bhagavad Gita calls asuri-sampat or demoniacal
nature, which expresses itself as self aggrandizement through greed, lust, and
violence, his devotional practice will be completely useless.
So, combating this demoniacal element in an aspirant is the foundation on which
the edifice of devotional life is to be built upon, and this is done by wholehearted
dedication of one's actions and their fruits to the Lord. If all actions are to be
dedicated to Him, one in whom true faith has been generated will be very
particular to eliminate unethical action; for nothing corrupt and tainted should be
offered to the Lord.
For a man dominated by body sense; physical values are the most real of all
categories. Mere ritualistic worship or mental adoration cannot give him the
sense of realism which dedication of all actions can give. Loving disposition
(daya), material gift (dana), self-control (dama) are declared in the Upanishads
as the keystones of the ethical discipline for asuras, men, and gods respectively.
In every person there are all these three. So to combat this asuric nature, a
quantum of physical worship is required, and this consists in dedicated action,
service of fellowmen, charities, observance of vows, and austerities. It is only
through long practice of dedicated action that devotional sentiment will take root.
There is no time limit fixed for this discipline.
So long as one has not developed dispassion for the objects of senses and
begun to feel delight in divine contemplation, at least works of the nature of duty
and service of fellow-beings must be performed. In fact, according to the
Bhagavad Gita, work of this purifying type should be kept up all through life.
Permanent Feature
Power of Guru
(From the glorious life of Thyagaraja Swami)
By Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar
Compositions of Thyagaraja Swami are well known in all families in South India.
Blessed with exceptional musical talent, Thyagaraja spurned fame and riches
and devoted his life to Lord Ramachandra. His compositions have the capacity to
instill devotion, joy and happiness in the hearts of all.
Thyagaraja was born as the third child to Brahmin parents, Rama Brahma and
Shanta Devi, in 1767 at Thiruvayaru, near Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu. The parents
had prayed in the local Thyagaraja Temple and mother Shanta Devi had a divine
darshan with the message: "I am pleased with your seva and bhakti. A great
singer and a bhakta of Lord Rama will be born to you."
When the bhakta was born, Rama Brahma named him Thyagaraja, since he was
born by the blessings of Thyagaraja. When he was five, his father began to teach
him Telugu. Both parents also took him to Thyagaraja Mandir where the boy
listened to kirtans. Often he would also join in the singing. The adult singers
appreciated his sweet voice and singing style. Noticing his innate musical ability
Rama Brahma arranged for him to learn music.
He became Shondi Venkataraman's pupil. The Guru was a famous teacher at the
royal court of Thanjavur. Thyagaraja studied sincerely. By the age of 16, he had
mastered many aspects of music. He began to compose and sing kirtans on Lord
Rama. Simultaneously, he studied Sanskrit. After obtaining the Guru's blessings,
he returned home.
Thyagaraja never envisaged his musical abilities as a source of income. For this
reason his elder brothers often quarreled with him. When 18, Thyagaraja married
Parvati. Soon Thyagaraja's parents expired. Four years later Parvati too died.
This increased Thyagaraja's detachment from the world. But at people's behest
he re-married Parvati's sister Kamala. After marriage, Thyagaraja continued his
deep devotion, singing Lord Rama's kirtans for hours at a time. This infuriated
Jayesh, his eldest brother, who supported the household. Jayesh rebuked
Thyagaraja saying that singing kirtans would not bring home food. How long
could he support him and his wife?
Thyagaraja relinquished his father's property to him and retired to a hut away
from the village. Thyagaraja comforted his wife: "Do not worry. In this isolated
retreat, it will be even more joyous to offer devotion. Lord Rama is here to care
for us. He may awaken us hungry but he will not lest us sleep so." Kamala had
the grace not to demand perishable worldly objects from her husband, who was
totally immersed in devotion.
Once, while Thyagaraja was engrossed in singing kirtans, a renunciate named
Ramakrishnananda arrived on their doorstep. The couple welcomed him by
offering the little fruit they had in store. Pleased by their service, he offered them
a boon. Thyagaraja replied: "O Yogiraj! The stalwart renunciates never arrive
without a purpose. All I ask is for a Guru - Mantra to cross 'Sansar’”.
Ramakrishnananda commanded Thyagaraja: "Recite the Rama mantra ten
million times and Lord Rama will redeem you."
Resolutely, Thyagaraja commenced chanting the Rama mantra, 125,000 times
every day. When he was 38 years old, he completed the Rama mantra. By Lord
Rama's grace, he attained Vachan Siddhi'. This meant that whatever he spoke
would prove true. In addition, even in his sleep, while his lips remained closed,
one could hear the incessant chanting of 'Rama, Rama'.
But a constant fear troubled him. By Vachan siddhi' one could not only do good
to others, but curse them as well. What could be the outcome, he wondered, if an
ugly incident arose and he cursed someone? He quickly held a yagna on
completion of his japas. He offered back to Rama the Vachan ‘Siddhi' he had
been granted. By renouncing this siddhi, he also remained true to the meaning of
his name-Thyagaraj, King of Renunciation.
At that time, he heard a knock at the door. On opening it, he witnessed an
unbelievable sight - a teenage form of Lord Rama, accompanied by Lakshman
and the Rishi, Viswamitra. Transfixed on seeing his Lord, he forgot to welcome
them. Divine rays emanating from Lord Rama entered Thyagaraja's body and
soon the divine darshan ended. Only then did Thyagaraja come to his senses
and repented for failing to welcome them. Deeply regretting this, the kirtans he
composed thereafter, all pined for the Lord. These kirtans and his music spread
his fame all over. People regarded him as a saintly personality and began to flock
to his hut.
Sage Narada blessed him with a visit and gifted him 'Swavarnava Siddhi'. By
this, his knowledge and musical talents improved markedly.
King Sharbhoj invited him to his court. But Thyagaraja refused saying: "Only Lord
Rama's name plays on my tongue. Never will it sing praises of a king. The head
which has bowed to Lord Rama will not bow to a king. By forsaking Lord Rama's
seva, I will not adopt royal service. I only know Lord Rama's palace and if it is my
good fortune, there I will go."
On receiving this message, the King did not get angry but, himself decided to
visit Thyagaraja. When his elder brother Jayesh heard the news that Thyagaraja
had refused to visit the court, he was infuriated, since he craved for the worldly
riches which the king would have gifted Thyagaraja. He therefore grabbed Lord
Rama's murti and flung it in the nearby river Kaveri. Loving this murti more than
his own soul, Thyagaraja plunged into the river. People on the banks watched
aghast. Thyagaraja swam to the bottom and somehow located the murti.
Onlookers hailed him and scorned Jayesh.
Now old age had set in. He composed hundreds of kirtans dedicated to Lord
Rama. His wife Kamala died. This deeply saddened Thyagaraja. Henceforth, his
poems reflected this sorrow and lamentations for Kamala. He then renounced to
become a sanyasi. Soon in 1847, he passed away and joined Lord Rama in
Vaikunth.
Meditate on Om. Know this sacred syllable Om. You will know everything. You
will attain the Highest Knowledge.
- Swamiji Sivananda
A dip in Sahasra Nama - 33
Greatness of Vishnu Sahasra Nama
By Dr. H., Janardana Acharya
Know Thyself!
A wise man of ancient Greece answered well a skeptic who asked a number of
questions. "What," he asked, "Is the greatest of all things?"
The sage answered: "Space is the greatest, for space contains all that has been
created."
The sage was asked again: "What is the best of all things?"
He answered: "Virtue."
He was asked: "What is the quickest of all things?"
He answered: 'Thought. For in less than a minute thought can fly to the ends of
the universe."
And again: "What is the easiest of all things?"
And the sage answered: 'To give advice."
But when the sage was asked: "What is the most difficult of all things?" he
answered in three words 'To know thyself!"
Vishnu Sahasranama literally means thousand names of Vishnu, the Allpervading. But 'Sahasra' really means 'many' and not confined to the rigid one
and three zeroes. The name of an object in common use is meant to distinguish
one object from another and rarely explains the quality of the object. In human
beings, the name often contradicts itself. A 'Sundara’ may be awfully ugly and a
'Subhasha' may be even dumb as in Tagore's story. But the name of God or
Vishnu gives you His quality, His definition, His prowess, His objects, His goal
and everything known, unknown and knowable of Him.
For devotees of Gayathri, the Sahasranama will give the composition of Bhargah.
You mediate on the Sahasranama and you will be meditating on Bhargah. I,
venture to say Bhargah and Sahasranama are synonymous. The Sahasranama
will supplement your Gayathri and enlighten your Sandhya. What Bhargah
implies, the Sahasranama explains.
There is a prevalent misconception that the Sahasranama caters to only certain
beliefs and believers like Vaishnavites; in other words, that it is sectarian and is
taboo for others like Saivites, Skandas, Sourahs, Shakthas, Ganapathas, etc.
Will a Saivite admit that his Shiva is not omnipresent and all-pervading? If his
answer is an emphatic 'No', then the Sahasranama applies to him as much as to
the Vaishnavites. This argument holds good for the worshippers of all other
aspects of Divinity. They have only to take off their blinkers. The Sahasranama is
catholic and universal.
In parenthesis, it may be pointed out that the first word, Viswam, in the
Sahasranama is neuter gender. With this neutrality and its significance of
Universality specifying neither Vishnu nor Shiva of the sectarian conception, the
word Viswam makes the Sahasranama in one stroke and from the very start
catholic and non-sectarian.
As the Geetha is the quintessence of the Vedas and Upanishads, the
Sahasranama is another reflection of them in a different form, preaching Dharma.
What 'mantras' and 'sutras' proclaim there, the 'namas' in the Sahasranama
(which is of the essence of the ancient lore) condense in 107 slokas meant for
the ordinary who cannot dive deep into the Vedas, Upanishads and the Geetha
for want of requisite knowledge. In fact, ending of Geetha and Sahasranama is
parallel. The conclusion in either is almost identical. How it is so, will be
explained in the course of this narration.
The Sahasranama is not a haphazard collection of words jumbled together, but it
is a continuous stream of thought arranged in proper sequence, one word being
chanted to the other, explaining, completing or complementing the other. In
certain contexts, if one is not able to form a continuous thread, the inability is due
to one's own ignorance rather than to any faulty construction. A more enlightened
person will tread his way clearly in the supposed maze.
Is Sahasranama A Rambling Theme?
No. To those who attribute to the Sahasranama that it is an incoherent narration,
I would place before them for their consideration that the whole of the
Sahasranama is a conversational discussion between Bhishma and Yudhishtira
and the apparent lack of continuity in the line of thought is, but natural in such a
conversational discourse.
During an exposition at such a high level it was not unnatural that Yudhishtira
might have posed some questions for enlightenment, the answers to which might
appear to be breaks in the continuity of the main narrative. Since we are not told
what the questions were, we are at a loss at first sight to find the cogency of the
theme in certain places. In the Geetha which is also similar if you are to omit all
the interpellations of Arjuna, the Geetha too might suffer from the same apparent
defects to a wandering dissertation.
Suppose a thorn has pierced a man's foot. He picks another thorn to pull out the
first one. After extracting the first thorn with the help of the second, he throws
both away. One should use the thorn of knowledge to pull out the thorn of
ignorance.
-Sri Ramakrishna
Worship
To a devotee who was overly respectful, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji said: "Light is
reflected on a wall. Why venerate the wall? Be attentive to the light."
Avoidance
A pilgrim came to Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and told him of his pilgrimage to
Arunachala to seek Ramana's blessings, Anandashram to seek Swami
Ramadas's blessings, Rishikesh to seek Swami Sivananda's grace, Shirdi to get
Baba's grace and so on. He was only bemoaning that all the great Masters have
left their mortal coils and said : "Are there any Masters left on earth?"
"There is one" said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. "Who is that?" keenly solicited.
Swamiji replied: "Where are YOU?"
Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
By Prof. R. Narayana lyengar (Continued from previous issue)
I am very much disappointed, but helpless. The car started but without being
invited, I am unable to accompany Swamiji. Inside the house Sri Varadarajan is
asking Sri Bhaskara Rao "What time would you like to have your lunch?" Rao is
smilingly looking at me and responding "Oh, it is only 9.30 now; let us have lunch
by 11.30."
I am sitting inside the room, sad with the feeling of being left out by Swamiji.
Some five minutes have passed by. All of a sudden, Krishnamurthy's voice is
heard. Sri Bhaskara Rao is calling me. "Swamiji has sent word for you to go with
him." Oh! My God, how can I hold my feelings? I am struck with awe, wonder and
joy. Perhaps, for the Ritambhara consciousness of Swamiji, our minds are like
pages of an open book. But, which desire gets fulfilled and which gets rejected
cannot be foretold. For some, the time may not be ripe. For some others, the
desire itself vanishes. In the car Swamiji is conversing with Sri Vishwanathan
about his office work.
On the way to the Railway Colony, Swamiji has visited the residence of Dr.
Suryanarayana Rao, President of the local Sai Samaj. Dr. Rao is a famous eye
surgeon in Madurai. He lives with his family in the first floor of the house. The
vast ground floor is occupied by his surgery and nursing home. He has
conducted Swamiji directly to his puja room. Among the various symbols of
Hindu Gods and Goddesses, the photograph of Saibaba is prominently visible.
Swamiji himself has done the Arathi and Naivedya. After distribution of the
prasad, Swamiji is now visiting the patients in the wards. As Swamiji stands near
each patient with eyes bandaged, the kind doctor is announcing to each patient
"Swamiji has come! Please take prasad."
Swamiji has reached the residence of Sri Vishwanathan, by about 11 O'clock.
Railway residence, particularly those of high officials, needs no explanation. This
bungalow is a mini palace. A vast frontage with a lawn, a variety of trees, a lush
garden, a well laid out approach road with painted Rerb stones, an open
verandah with rifle carrying guards at the doorway convey the first impressions.
Sri Vishwanathan has briskly gone into his house perhaps to arrange something.
Swamiji is walking calmly towards the entrance, while we are getting out of the
car.
Suddenly it appears from behind, that Swamiji has embraced some one in the
verandah. Oh! What a sight. It is the watchdog which has taken the initiative to
embrace the saint! The huge animal is standing with its front legs placed on
Swamiji's shoulders. Swamiji is fondling the lucky dog. Even all the persons
around are wonder struck. Sri Vishwanathan and his wife have come out to
receive Swamiji but appear upset with the turn of the events. The guards are
forced to pull out the dog, since there are no signs of the strange scene
changing! A pandit has started reciting mantras and the couple has received
Swamiji with traditional purnakumbha.
A well furnished spacious house, reflecting a modern taste combined with
traditional motifs, is what we see inside. Swamiji has been directly conducted
towards the puja room. Here also there are a large number of pictures and idols
of Gods and Goddesses. The picture of Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi is
prominently visible. Swamiji has started Vishnu Sahasranama. Sri Vishwanathan
has also joined us in the recital. Sri Vishwanathan seems to know Swamiji well,
however for his wife Sushila, this is her first meeting with Swamiji. She is talking
to Swamiji with extreme shyness and deference. However, Swamiji himself is
taking the initiative to ask her name, native place and about their children. Sri
Vishwanathan’s are the parents of Anand, the chess prodigy. Now, they are
asking Swamiji, how the lunch has to be served. Would he like to sit on ground or
at the dining table? Swamiji in his characteristic way answered 'whatever is
convenient for you, is all right with me.' We are all sitting on the floor in the
traditional fashion. The lady of the house is personally serving the items in the
style of a South Indian Brahmin household. Swamiji is praying for the good of the
family,
after
saying
Meenakshi-Sundareswara
Prithyartham,
Padmavathi-
Venkateswara Prithyartham - Smt. Sushila is undoubtedly a wonderful hostess.
Sri Vishwanathan is explaining that in view of Swamiji's visit all the twelve items
have been prepared by Smt Sushila herself. Swamiji is eager to return to Sri
Varadarajan's house. On return, we find that already a large number of people
are waiting for Darshan of Swamiji. A lady is explaining her sorrow to Swamiji.
Her husband is sitting mutely by her side. Their only son who went away from the
family twenty years back is yet to return. "I do not know whether he is alive or
not.... for some reason I had scolded him. He took that as a reason and went
away. He was only a ten year child then..."
The lady is weeping uncontrollably. "Some how I managed all these years, but I
cannot do so any longer. His memory cannot be erased. "Swamiji is calmly
reflecting, and is asking in his smooth voice 'what is his name and birth star?’
Govindarajan and Chitta came the answer. Swamiji appears to be thinking or
contemplating deeply with eyes closed. May be he is in a trance. After about five
minutes, he is consoling the lady 'Amma, do not worry. He will return in another
year's time. Perhaps, he has forgotten his childhood events. You see today the
star is Chitta... He appears to be somewhere in Andhra Pradesh...' This is some
consolation for the aged couple.
Swamiji would like to return to Bangalore after an hour's rest. By 2.30 the group
is ready to depart. Sri Varadarajan is understandably upset. Swamiji's separation
has bought tears to his eyes. He has also got into the car and is requesting
'Swamiji, I will come with you at least some distance!' After Sri Varadarajan got
down at a circle, the vehicle is smoothly proceeding towards Tiruchi. The place
for night halt is yet to be decided. Swamiji is eager to visit Srirangam. Sri
Doraiswamy is suggesting a visit to Gunashekaram also.
Even as the town of Tiruchi is reached, there appears to be some transformation
in Swamiji! It is as though he has become nostalgic or gone into another
dimension! Swamiji is describing the town with tender emotions. 'Hey! See here,
this is the St. Joseph's school where I was studying'. "Swamiji, how long you
were in this town?" "Oh! All my younger days were spent here. Till my 22nd year,
I was here... see, this the Fort, this is called Teppakulam..." In the centre is a
beautiful pond. Around the pond are age old congested Agraharams. Near by is
the suddenly out cropping rock; the surroundings are rather peculiar.
Somehow, the driver is making way for the car through the dense crowd. Swamiji
is suddenly indicating... "See, there! That was our house. In the beginning we
were on the other side, later we moved to this house. Who knows now who are
living there?" The car has arrived at a Ganapathi Temple. In his childhood days
Swamiji used to frequently visit this temple. The temple is on the rock, which is
projecting out of the earth vertically upwards. There are no easy slopes on the
rock. Throughout there are steep step cut in the rock to go up. Everything is very
clean and neat. Swamiji is coming up, but insisting that he does not like to climb
up fully. Suddenly we have reached the Mathrubhuteswara Temple. Since the
width of the rock is not much, the architect has visualized the temple vertically, in
several floors.
First comes the shrine for Devi, above this is the shrine for Shiva. Further above
is the temple for Ganapathi. Compared to the huge crowd, the management of
the temple is exemplary. The name of the Devi here is Sugandha Kuntalamba. It
appears the ritual bathing (Abhishekam) for the goddess has just been
completed, and further makeup is going on. We are having darshan from a
distance. There are four or five priests inside, busy with their work. To have a
good darshan one will have to go near, but it is not clear whether we are allowed
or whether this is the appropriate time. All the pilgrims are standing outside as
though waiting for a call.
(to be continued………………..)
O man! Thou art a pilgrim here.
Awake, awake.
Life is short. Time is fleeting.
Go back to your original home of immortal bliss.
-
Swami Sivananda
Speech
A devotee could not wait to tell Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji the rumor he had heard
in the marketplace.
"Wait a minute" said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, "What you plan to tell us, is it
true?"
"I do not think it is." "Is it useful?" "No. it is not." "Is it funny?"
"No"
"Then why should we be hearing it?"
Spiritual Relief
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji held that no words were bad if they were used in an
appropriate context. When he was told that one of his devotees was given to
swearing, Swamiji remarked, "Profanity has been known to offer spiritual relief
denied to prayer."
If someone were to refer to politics or any gossip, Swamiji used to start reciting
Vishnu Sahasranamam to distract the attention of the people present from
discussing politics.
The Saint of Shirdi
By S. Jagannathan
There came to Shirdi, an obscure village; In a fakir's garb, a future sage; None
knew of his age or parentage, But His Love to all, in Nature's language. An old
mosque, he chose for his abode to live, for others, ever, in Divine Mode; Afflicted
hearts came to him to unload and, in Him, sought, to salvation, the road. In the
mosque he kept His holy fire, The Udhi he gave to all in grief, Transcending
beyond limits of life to inspire those who flocked to Him in true belief. With water
to burn his lamps at night, He was beyond all action-He was Light, The
Manifestation of all Thought and Power, A Divine Being, indeed, to seek and
discover.
He was the harbinger of Love and Peace, The perfect rhapsody (of thoughts) that really is, the music divine, in enchanting melodies. Manifesting the aspect
twain in one perfect synthesis. The vortex of healing power in His mortal frame,
the epitome of desire to protect the weak, In motherly love rose to Eternal fame,
A Saint, a God and the Master to seek. Call Him, not a fakir, or a mere being, In
Him is all Life and its belonging, the secret vibrations to a Divine Awakening, He
is the Lord beyond Human understanding. He comes to the Door where man
lives to rule himself in harmony with humanity; Learning to use the Mystic Word
that gives Peace, in concord with joy, unto Eternity. Open your hearts to seek
that One Vision That takes you beyond birth, life and death; Go to Him in utter
humility and faith, Thence you are with Him in cosmic fusion. Let us rise to His
immortal heights, Aspire towards perfection in our human traits, Go beyond
relative existence to silently hear His echo, "WHY FEAR, WHEN I AM HERE."
The Source of Inspiration
By Justice T. N. Vallinayagam
Mr. Justice I N. Vallinayagam of the Karnataka High Court was with us on
15.1.1999 to release the booklet ‘Thus Spake Saipadananda' and we are
pleased to publish excerpts from his speech in the form of an article.
- Editor
Religion exists for the uplift of humanity and is a path to Divinity. Fundamentally
the basic principles of all religions are alike; but the base ego often perverts them
for its own ends. The Vedas and works like those of Valmiki and Veda Vyasa, the
former depicting the life' story of Lord Rama and the latter of Lord Krishna in the
Mahabharata which inter alia contains the Bhagavad Geetha - the Divine Song and a code of conduct for humanity in spiritual, moral and social spheres, are
epics of which one could be justly proud. The great prophet Mohamed and Jesus
Christ propagated religions of peace and universal love.
In Kali Yuga, politics and greed have deflected the Hindus from the teachings of
the Vedas and Puranas; the Muslims from those of the Koran and Christian
nations are claiming a desire to establish peace by war! India is in turmoil despite
its proud culture and peace loving nature. Even nature has become violent and
we hear of destructive floods and earthquakes.
For fifty years, the great Master Sai Baba of Shirdi disseminated by precept and
example the religion of faith, truth and love to humanity, when he was in the
mortal coil, and decades after his Mahasamadhi in 1918, his message has
progressively rung louder throughout the length and breadth of India- and even
beyond, thanks to the sincere and untiring labors of His apostles - Poojya Sri
Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. As a humble devotee of Sai
Baba, I am proud of his glory and grace.
Sai Baba was 'Parabrahma' but was humility incarnate. He would say: 'I am a
servant of God." Many instances of His supreme mystic power and leelas could
be cited, but he never paraded them and attributed everything to Allah and the
Guru. There was no distinction with him of caste, class or creed and the Hindu
would do his worship in the mosque along with Muslim and Parsi devotees and
others who offered prayers in their own way. He never gave up 'Bhiksha'
although after 1911 there were large offerings of fruits and sweets of which He
took only little bits. He used to distribute fairly large amounts of money every day
but spent nothing on Himself. Just before His last breath He took nine coins from
his pocket and gave to Lakshmi.
He was an ocean of 'Premamrita' but people looked up to Him more for worldly
benefits than spiritual. He once said that thousands had come to Him, but those
who came for purely spiritual benefit could be counted on his fingers.
Our duty is to vow complete surrender of ourselves to Him and live our worldly
life with as much detachment as possible, and with faith and love, be living
examples of Universal Brotherhood. We have the ideals of Sri Narasimha
Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and may the Master in His unbounded
Grace make us worthy of Him.
Rely on Yourself
A disciple came riding on his camel to the tent of his Sufi Master. He dismounted
and walked right into the tent, bowed low and said, "So great is my faith in God
that I have left my camel outside untied, convinced that God protects the
interests of those who love him."
"Go tie your camel, you fool!" said the Master. God cannot be bothered doing for
you what you are perfectly capable of doing for yourself.
GOSSIP
A devotee confessed his bad habit of repeating gossip. Smilingly, replied Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji: Repeating it would not be so bad if you did not
He advised to repeat Vishnu Sahasra Namam instead of indulging in gossip. To
those devotees who were always asking for words of wisdom, Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji said, "Wisdom is not expressed in words. It reveals itself in action. But
when he saw them plunge headlong into activity he laughed and said, "That is
not action. That is Motion”
At the feet of the Guru
Unusual Devotee takes to Sahasranamam
By R. Seshadri
"Even mechanical repetition of Sahasranamam is good. Any name of the Lord
may be repeated to one's advantage. Rama's name is ideal. It is a powerful
name. As you recite the 1000 names of the Lord, at least one name is sure to
stick in your mind. For some it may be Krishna, for others Rama. We should
illuminate the inner mandir of the heart through nama japa. Baba lighted the
Dwarakamayi with lamps that burned throughout the night. We too likewise burn
lamps in our hearts through the repetition of God's names."
-
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
We had seen in the previous issue how Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji initiated a
rationalist Lawyer in Sahasranamam recitation. When I visited Sri Sai Spiritual
Centre one evening, Swamiji was leading a group of devotees in the recitation.
Soon after a new round had started, a lawyer from Shankarapuram, Bangalore,
accompanied by a young couple, dropped in. Swamiji immediately stopped the
chanting and addressed the lawyer thus: "Anantharam, take the couple to the
Mallur Temple (near Channapatna), where the Lord will bless them."
He did not ask for any other detail, and resumed the recitation. When it was over,
he turned to me and said: "What is the miracle? Who performs it? When these
people approached me, we were then uttering 'Aprameya Hrshikesa', Sri
Narayana appeared in the form of Apremeya in a vision and I could at once feel
the presence there of the childless couple. Hence, I have asked them to visit the
Mallur Temple. (It is customary for childless couple to visit the temple and offer
'joolas' (craddle) with babies inside to be suspended from the ceiling of the
enticing Krishna Sannidhi)
While many interesting experiences may be cited to prove the efficacy of Vishnu
Sahasranamam, to save the readers time, and space in the magazine. Let me
recount the following unusual account.
One day, Swamiji mentioned that when even some of us were reluctant to take to
Sahasranama, A Catholic Christian Nurse came here all the way from the
Bowring Hospital to learn and recite it. Here are the details provided by Swamiji
himself:
The Nurse, who had numerous domestic and personal problems, had a strange
dream one night in which a saint with a flowing white beard, appeared and
advised her to start chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam to overcome her problems.
The puzzled lady, next morning, made discreet inquiries at the hospital, when
she chanced to meet an old Brahmin couple from Basavanagudi, who offered to
take her to a saintly person at Thyagarajanagar, who was chanting
Sahasranamam most of the time.
When the Nurse was finally brought to Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, the next day, the
Nurse could not believe her eyes when she saw the saint of her dream in flesh,
blood and bone!
When I expressed my curiosity to see this lady, Swamiji said I would meet her
one day. In the evening of Shivarathri day, I visited the Centre and seated myself
near Swamiji. Just then Swamiji pointed his fingers to the northern entrance of
the Shrine Hall. I saw a Nurse in duty uniform (She could not have a change),
entering the hall, squatting there. She soon after joined the group in the
recitation. She had a Sahasranama book tucked up in her armpit earlier.
No wonder, Swamiji was assertive: "Recitation of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam is
the panacea for all ills."
Imprisonment
"You are so proud of your intelligence", said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to a
devotee. "You are like the condemned man who is proud of the vastness of his
prison cell."
Identity
"How does one seek union with Sai Baba?" enquired a devotee.
Swamiji replied: "The harder you seek, the more distance you create between
Him and you."
Devotee: "So what does one do about the distance?"
Swamiji: "Understand that it is not there."
Devotee: "Does that mean that Sai Baba and myself are one?"
Swamiji: 'Mont one. Not two."
Devotee: "How is that possible?"
Swamiji: "The sun and its light, the ocean and the wave, the singer and his song not one. Not two."
Harmony
For all his traditional ways, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji had great respect for rules
and rituals. Once there was a difference of opinion between a devotee and his
daughter because the man kept insisting that the-girl conform to the rules of their
religion in the choice of her prospective husband. Swamiji openly sided with the
girl.
When the devotee expressed his surprise that the Swamiji would do this, he
simply said: "you must understand that life is just like music more by feeling and
by instinct than by rules."
Understanding
A devotee asked Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "How shall I get the grace of never
judging my neighbor"?
Swamiji replied: "Through Vishnu Sahasranamam."
The devotee said: "Then why have I not found it yet? I recite Vishnu
Sahasranamam twice a day."
Swamiji: "Because you have not prayed in the right place."
Devotee: "Where is that?"
Swamiji:" In the heart of God."
Devotee: "How do I get there?"
Swamiji: "Understand that anyone who sins does not know what he is doing and
deserves to be forgiven."
Portraits of Swamiji’s Installed
By Sai Natarajan
On Sunday, January 10, 1999, was a great day for the devotees of Shirdi Sai
Baba Satsang, when the portraits of Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji were installed by Sri Sai Spiritual Centre office-bearers in
the Prayer Hall of the Radhakrishna Temple, for the regular worship of Satsang
devotees.
At 4.p.m. the Padukas of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji arrived at Sri Sai Kuteer,
residence of Mr. B. H. Chamaraj, Convener of the Satsang. Mr. Chamaraj and Sri
C. Govindaraj took the portraits in a procession which were placed later in the
Prayer Hall, along with the Padukas. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama was chanted, after
which Mr. Govindaraj welcomed the devotees.
Mr. D. L Radhakrishna conducted a nice Bhajan program. Archana to the
TRINITY was performed. Archana to the Padukas with two-rupee coins
symbolizing Shraddha and Saburi was performed.
Mr. R. Seshadri spoke on Swamiji's message of love and devotion to a very
receptive audience. 'Arathi' being offered to the portraits of the Swamiji's held by
Sri B. H. Chamaraj fright) and Sri C. Govindaraj at the entrance of the Prayer
Hall.
19th Aradhana of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
By S. Syama Rao
Sri Sai Spiritual Centre celebrated the 19th Aradhana of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji on the 14th of January, 1999. The Celebrations started with Kakad Arati.
After Kakad Arathi, the devotees led by Sri R. Seshadri, President of the Centre
visited Devagiri Sri Venkateswara Temple, chanting Bhajans. At the temple, the
devotees chanted Vishnu Sahasranama and after Archana to the deity, the
devotees returned to the Centre, again doing Bhajans.
A large number of devotees participated in Samoohika Abhisheka to Baba, Sri
Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji.
Non-stop chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama started at 8.30 a.m. Enthusiastic
devotees in large numbers participated in the chanting till 10.40p.m.
Krama Aradhana of Poojya Swamiji was performed at 9.30 a.m. by Sri D. V.
Krishna Murthy. Sri R. Seshadri also participated in the rituals. Theertha
Narayana Pooja was performed to Swamiji after Krama Aradhana. About two
thousand devotees attended the function and partook of the Prasadam.
As a prelude to the Aradhana, Saipadananda Brotherhood get-together was
arranged in the Centre on the 13th January 1999 presided over by Sri R.
Seshadri. (A detailed report appears elsewhere in this issue). A public meeting
was held at 6.30 p.m. Mr. Justice T N. Vallinayagam released the booklet ‘Thus
Spake Saipadananda' and Sri D. V. Murthy, President, Sri Sai Mandali released
the Kannada version of the above booklet entitled 'Saipadananda Nudi
Muthugalu’. Sri R. Seshadri presided over the function and Air Cmdre T. M. M.
Raghavan compeered the program. Sri S. Syama Rao proposed a vote of
thanks.
On 16th January, the devotees shared their experiences with the audience, at a
function presided over by Sri Seshadri.
There was a grant finale to the celebrations with the children of Saipadananda
Bala Vihara giving a variety cultural program on 17th January, 1999, conducted
by Dr. P. S. Narayana Rao, assisted by Kum. Sunanda, Smt. Sarojini and Sri D.
Srikanth. Prizes and Certificates were distributed to the winners in the various
Competitions like Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, Drawing, Singing, and Dance &
Drama.
Sri D. V. Krishna Murthy carrying 'kumbha' at the Aradhana of Guru
Radhakrishna Swamiji, in front of the Radha Krishna Shrine.
Pooja to Padukas
To mark the Twentieth Year of Mahasamadhi of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji,
it is proposed to conduct Pooja to the holy Padukas of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
on all Sundays, from 7th March to 9th Jan. 2000, at the residences of devotees in
Bangalore.
Discrimination
A devotee resorted to chits in front of Sai Baba to take an important decision.
Somehow it was a failure and he was in a complaining mood. He told Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji: "I have burnt my fingers once. I shall never resort to chits
to take a decision in my life."
Calmly Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji replied: "You are like the cat who having burnt
itself from sitting on a stove, refused to sit again."
Mechanicalness
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji asked his devotees which were more important,
wisdom or action. The devotees were unanimous: "Action, of course. Of what use
is wisdom that does not show itself in action?"
Said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "And of what use is action that proceeds from an
unenlightened heart?"
Saipadananda's Sayings: Booklet Released
By T. M. M. Raghavan
Justice T. N. Vallinayagam of the Karnataka High Court released "Thus Spake
Saipadananda", a booklet containing some of the valuable sayings of H. H. Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji, at the public meeting of Saipadananda Brotherhood, on
January 15, 1999. Sri D.V. Murthy, President, Sri Sai Mandali, Malleswaram, the
Chief Guest of the evening, released "Saipadananda Nudi Muthugalu," the
Kannada version of "Thus Spake Saipadananda", (translated by Dr. G. R.
Vijayakumar.)
At the well-attended meeting held as part of the 19th Aradhana celebrations of
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, Mr. Justice Vallinayagam gave a scholarly exposition
of the varied aspects to Bharat's spiritual traditions, explaining how Avatars like
Shirdi Sai Baba have spread the values of Love, Truth, Honesty, Devotion etc.
among the devotees. He appealed to the devotees of Baba and the Swamijis to
not only practice these virtues, but also spread them as they are of universal
relevance (Detailed report appears elsewhere).
Sri D.V, Murthy, in his speech, recollected how he came under the influence of
Sai Baba and his meetings with the Apostles of Baba, H. H. Sri Narasimha
Swamiji and Swami Kesavayaji. He hailed Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji's ideals of
Love, Bhakthi, and Saranagathi etc. He said that Swamiji was truly a 'Prema
Swarupi."
Sri R. Seshadri, who presided, recounted how although Swamiji used to disclaim
any miracles by him, still it was his grace which provided timely help and relief to
several devotees in matter of health, matrimony, employment, escape from
accidents and children for the barren. He said that it was the duty of his devotees
to remember his teachings and practice them. He also read out select sayings
from the booklet. Led by him, the gathering chanted the Universal Prayer of
Swamiji.
Air Commodore T.M.M. Raghavan, Convener of Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood,
thanked the compiler, Sri R. Seshadri for bringing out the booklet, assisted by B.
S. Gopinath and Sri D. Mahesh.
Earlier, Sri D.V.L.N. Moorthy, Secretary of Sri Sai Spiritual Centre Trust
welcomed the gathering. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed
by Sri S. Syama Rao, Secretary. Sri D. L. Radhakrishna sang the invocation.
Swami Shantananda at SSC
H.H. Swami Shantananda Puri of Vasishta Guha, Himalaya visited Sri Sai
Spiritual Centre, on January 18, and stayed for a couple of days. He was
received on arrival with 'Poornakumbha' and Veda Gosha. The Swamiji gave an
interesting discourse on Gopikageetha.
The Swamiji visited Sri Sai Mandali, Malleswaram on January 19, where he was
received by the President, Sri D, V. Murthi, and the Secretary, Dr. Nagesh and
other devotees. He addressed the devotees on Krishna's 'leelas' and the value of
Sri Vishnu Sahasranama. The Mandali honored him with a 'Shawl ’ (Sesha
Vastra).
Swami Shantananda has about 40 years of experience in Vedic chanting,
meditation and 'pravachanas. He is proficient in Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil and
English. He has written a beautiful book on the philosophical significance of
Bhagavatham.
Sri Umamaheswara Rao
Sri Umamaheswara Rao, Editor of "Saiprabha" who was in Bangalore in the third
week of February visited Sri Sai Spiritual Centre thrice and had 'Satsangh' with
the devotees. Sri Rao has been propagating Sai's Teachings. He has published
eight books so far.
Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood Get-Together
By T. M. M. Raghavan
The Third Get-Together of members of Sri Saipadananda
Brotherhood took place on January 15, 1999, as part of Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji's Aradhana celebrations. A large number of members assembled at the
Centre in a great spirit of camaraderie and emotional fervor. The members must
have been thinking of Swamiji with single-minded devotion, one could feel the
aura of Swamiji as though he was present amidst his devotees in his astral form
and splendor.
The proceedings started with a prayer song by Smt. Malathi most appropriately
dedicated to Swamiji. In the absence of Sri. R. Parthasarathy, Chief Patron of the
Brotherhood, Sri. R. Seshadri, Patron, was requested to occupy the chair and
conduct the proceedings. The members mourned the demise of the following
members during the year after Sri Seshadri recalled their services for the
spreading of Baba's and Swamiji's teachings and recounted their association with
the Centre.
1. Sri. T. Kesava Rao
2. Lt. Col. Nimbalkar
3. Smt. Saraswathi Amma and
4. Sri. S. Shamanna
Sri Seshadri welcoming the members said that in the case of Swamiji, one is
never tired of describing him as a unique modern saint, since Swamiji was
indeed unique with his simplicity, creed of love for everyone, total absence of
ego, emphasis on surrender to Baba and disclaiming his part in any miraculous
recovery from disease or relief from distress and problems although they must
have happened by his grace only.
Air Comde. Raghavan, Convener of the Brotherhood, read out the messages
received from Sri R. Parthasarathy,
Sri C. V. Bhaskara Rao, Sri M. Rangachary, Sri. G. R. Inamdar and many others
wishing the Brotherhood meeting all success. Sri Parthasarathy had written
about the miraculous darshan of Swamiji which he had just before his eye
operation and how the operation was a success with Swamiji's grace. The
members were thrilled to hear the experience and there was a spontaneous
emotional applause. For ‘he benefit of the readers, the experience has been
reproduced elsewhere in this issue.
The Annual Report was submitted by the Convenor. He explained that due to the
pre occupation of the Centre with the renovation project, some of the planned
things could not be
lectures
and
some
were arranged. He had
Seshadri has compiled
selected
sayings
of
Spake Saipadananda”,
decision
taken at the
Saipadananda Brotherhood
Pledge
We will truly and faithluflly
follow the teachings of Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji in our
lives and endeavour our best
to spread the message of
Swamiji amongst our family
members neighbours and
friends.
Brotherhood and the
carried out. However,
special
programmes
informed
a
that
Booklet
Sri
on
the
Swamiji entiteled “Thus
in accordance with the
last
book
meeting
was
of
the
being
released at a function the same evening. He indicated that a special function in
the nature of a seminar was being planned during Swamiji's birthday celebrations
or during Guru Poornima celebrations.
Dr. P. S. Narayana Rao, Dr. B. K. Raghuprasad, Sri D. V. Murthy, Dr Nagesh,
Major Ramamurthy, Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar and Sri B.S. Krishnamurthy
participated in the discussions that followed and many valuable suggestions were
made for broadening the activities of the Brotherhood.
All the members chanted in unison Swamiji's Universal Prayer and also took the
Brotherhood Pledge.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Sri S. Syama Rao, Secretary of
SSSC.
Rumi's Answer
A seeker asked the Sufi Jalaluddin Rumi if the Koran was a good book to read.
He replied, "You should rather ask yourself if you are in a state to profit from it."
A Christian mystic used to say of the Bible. 'However useful a menu, it is not
good for eating."
To enjoy eternal bliss there is no other way than to attune your mind with
God by constantly chanting His holy name with all love and devotion. God
is love and He dwells in your heart.
-
Swamy Ramdas
Exciting Experience of an Author
Sri R. Parthasarathy, Author of 'Apostle of Love’ and 'God who walked on Earth,
and ardent devotee of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji recounts how Swamiji protected
him during a major operation some months back, in his message to the
Saipadananda Brotherhood Annual Meeting, which he could not attend owing to
indisposition.
The contents of the letter are as follows:
Dear Sai Bandhus,
I offer you my hearty greetings on this important occasion when you are
assembled as members of the Brotherhood to exchange experiences and renew
your faith and surrender at the feet of our Guru, Radhakrishna Swamiji and seek
ways and means to propagate his message and teachings. I am happy to learn
from the convener, Air Commodore Raghavan that our membership is growing
and there is greater awareness of what Swamiji stood for and how he brought
Sai Baba nearer to our hearts.
I wish to share with you an exciting experience I had of Swamiji's living presence
and how he protects his devotees day and night. Two months ago I was in
hospital for a major operation and I went through a number of tests before the
surgery. I was praying to Swamiji during the tests and imagine my joy when I saw
Swamiji's figure blessing me even while I was undergoing the tests, and more
miraculous than anything else when I was on the operating table and before I lost
consciousness under anesthesia I could see Swamiji's figure on the wall nearby
extending his protective hands. That, Swamiji saved me was clear when the
operation was not only successful but it was, painless even after the anesthesia
had worn off and there was no complication. Swamiji again proved to me he is
God and I shall always worship him as such.
Come on! Sai Bandhus let us sing the glory of our Master and let us spread his
message of love and compassion all over the country. We are all children of
Swamiji and his living presence is a guarantee that no harm will come to us if our
faith is strong and unbreakable.
Once again I offer you my greetings and offer my best wishes for the success of
your proceedings.
Twentieth year of Mahasamadhi of H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
S. Syatna Rao
To commemorate the 20th Year of Mahasamadhi of H.H. Radhakrishna
Swamiji, it is proposed to perform pooja to the holy Padukas of H.H. Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji, along with chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama, Ashtakshari
Nama Japa and Ashtotharam to the TRINITY - Sri Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha
Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, from February 1999 to January 2000, in
some Sai institutions and some temples connected with Swamiji's Sai Prachar
work.
The inaugural function was held on 28th February 1999 (Sunday) at Shirdi Sai
Baba Satsangh, Velu Mudaliar Street, Kamaraj Road. H.H. Sri Narasimha Baba
of Karur inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp.
The devotees from Sri Sai Spiritual Centre and the members of the Shirdi Sai
Baba Satsangh participated in chanting Sahasranama.
Mrs. and Mr. C. Govindaraj performed the pooja to the holy Padukas. All the
devotees joined in the Bhasmarchana to Sri Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamijiand Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji.
Earlier Sri Sai Natarajan welcomed the devotees. Sri R. Seshadri, President, Sri
Sai Spiritual Centre, spoke on the occasion about Swamiji and on the efficacy of
Vishnu Sahasranama.
The second monthly program was held at Sri Sai Mandali, Malleswaram on
28th March 1999. The third monthly program will be held at Sri Shirdi Sai
Baba Mandir, Hysodlour, South Kodagu - 471249 on Saturday 17th April,
1999.
Sri Sivanesan Swamiji's Third Mahasamadhi
By D. V. Murthy
A three-day program had been organised to commemorate the third
Mahasamadhi of Poojya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji at Shirdi from 12th to 14th
February 1999. The venue was Swamiji's Samadhi located at Rui-Nigaji Road,
about 3 km from Shirdi. The Sthal is the property of Maher Dhun Endowments
Project to commemorate Swamiji's life and work, which earned him thousands of
devotees from all over the country.
The program was inaugurated by Sri Madhukar Joshi, a longstanding Trustee of
Sri Sai Baba Sansthan and disciple of H.B.P. Das Guru Maharaj, the well-known
missionary, who had been selected by Sri Sai Nath himself to spread His
teachings.
In an inspiring talk in the early morning hours of 12th February, Sri Joshi traced
his connection many years ago with Swamiji whom they used to call Mauni Baba
and who used to toil day and night in the upkeep of Dwarakamayi Masjid and
Chavadi. In his own inimitable way, Swamiji served Sri Sai. Sri Joshi described
Sri Sainath as the one who came to the aid of the devotees in distress as Lord
Krishna helped Draupadi at the time of her distress when Dushasana attempted
to disrobe her in the open gathering of King's Durbar.
One should not ask Baba for any material benefits as He alone knows what is
best to his devotees. No bargaining whatsoever should be attempted. He
mentioned the example of a lady who got a gold necklace by Baba's Grace and
not satisfied pleaded for some other ornament too. Speaking for himself, Sri
Joshi said that Baba has provided him what all is needed. He congratulated Smt.
Zarine Taraporevala, who has taken up the stupendous task of providing a fitting
memorial to her Guru, Poojya Sivanesan Swamiji. The accent is more on SEVA
than rituals. Thereafter Sri Chandrakant Shastryji of Bombay and Baroda took
over and the Foundation Stone laying ceremony of East and North Mahadwaras
were done by Sri Hanumanth Reddy of Shirdi and Sri Minoo Sethna of Bombay
and H.H. Mauni Baba of Varanasi and Kum. Shyamali Gondkar of Shirdi
respectively.
This was followed by the most solemn and important event namely, the
inauguration of the new DHUNI which has been constructed according to Vaastu
as well Shastric injunctions. Parsis, who are traditional fire worshippers regard
Agni as Mitra, which name is also used in Hindu Rituals. After elaborate Vedic
rituals, the Dhuni was lit by the leading worshippers Shri Smt. Madhukar Joshi
and Sri- R. Seshadri, President, Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore, Smt. & Sri
Mohan Jayakar, Solicitor and Trustee of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan.
After inauguration of Dhuni by Smt. and Sri. Madhukar Joshi and Sri R. Seshadri,
President, Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore, there was a short break for light
refreshments.
In the next session, at the auspicious MUHURAT Sri Chandrakanth Sastriji
conducted the rites for bore well drilling at the pre-selected spot. H.H. Mauni
Baba of Varanasi was the Yajaman of the ritual. The drilling was started just
before the commencement of Rahukal.
The planting of the Hybrid coconut seedling brought from Karnataka was done by
Sri D. V. Murthy, President, Sri Sai Mandali, Bangalore and Sri Suresh Ghai of
New Delhi and Vandana Bhalla of Bangalore.
The opening of the free alternate Medicine Clinic was done by Shri Motilal Gupta
of New Delhi-Faridabad, who incidentally is a qualified Homoeopath. There was
a large gathering of villagers to avail the benefits, who were given free treatment.
The concluding session of the forenoon took place in the special shamiana
erected for the purpose amidst sylvan surroundings. Sri R. Seshadri took the
opportunity to offer 'Sesha Vastras to H.H. Mouni Baba, Smt. Zarine
Taraporevala, Sri Varadarajan and Dr. Vinay Chitluri. He also released the book
"God's Rainbow", a compilation of events in the life of Poojya Sri Sivanesan
Swamiji at Shirdi compiled by Smt. Zarine Taraporevala, which is highly
informative and brings out hitherto unknown aspects and events in Swamiji's life-
work. A cassette 'Sai Bavani' by devotee singer Kadkade was also released by
Dr. Vinay Chitluri.
Smt. Zarine Taraporevala spoke thanking all those who had come over from
many parts of the country and made the event a success. Many of the devotees
and others were honored with shawls and mementos. There was devotional
music.
On behalf of the visiting devotees, Sri R. Seshadri and Sri D. V. Murthy thanked
Smt. Zarine Taraporevala and other organizers for the excellent arrangements
made on the occasion and prayed for Baba's and Poojya Swamiji's continued
blessings on the project.
The Shirdi Sansthan arranged for special darshan on February 23, for Smt.
Zarine and Sri Chandrakant Shastriji and also honored program them with
'shawls' and garlands. Dr. and Mrs. Kirtane honored also similarly program.
Devotional music was nicely rendered by Smt. Manik Moghe Pandit Rao in the
evening. A Free Camp for the Hearing Handicapped was inaugurated by Sri
Bose, Hyderabad, and Sri Ashok Khambekar, Shirdi, in the morning of February
14. The camp was conducted by Dr. Milind Kirtane and his colleagues. Dr.
Jyotsna Kirtane and Ms. Savinder Kaur assisted in the arrangements.
Gopal Kala was played on February 15, as a fitting finale to the beautiful
program. Pooja being offered to the 'Samadhi' of Poojya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji.
Smt. Zarine Taraporewala (extreme left) and Sri and Smt. Madhukar Joshi (right)
are seen.
Pooja being offered to the ‘Samadhi’ of Poojya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji. Smt.
Zarine Taraporewala (extreme left) and Sri and Smt.Madhukar Joshi (right)
are seen
To the other shore
Smt. Shanta Dudhaiya
Smt. Shanta, wife of Sri Shivaji K. Dudhaiya, Retd. Addl. Director, Electronics
and Radar Development Est., Bangalore, attained the Holy feet of Sai Baba on
Feb. 28. She was an expert in Cookery and Embroidery, having won many
awards and honors. She had helped many sickly people through her home
remedies and had also trained several people in Cookery and Embroidery free of
charge. She was 57 and leaves her husband and only son.
Ever since she landed at Bangalore 30 years ago, she had totally surrendered to
Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. She used to offer regular prayers at Sri
Sai Spiritual Centre and participate in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama recitation.
The family members had been protected by Swamiji on numerous occasions. In
one such incidents, her son, Sanjeev, planned to visit a famous circus in the city
the next evening. That night, Swamiji showed in Sanjeev's dream many world
class circus shows, including the one which he proposed to see and asked him
not to go to the circus the next evening. It is an agonizing memory to
Bangaloreans, that the circus tent caught fire, killing several people. Sanjeev
thus escaped. Her husband was also saved during a visit to the U.S.
"We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another; but to
see one another through."
- Pefer De Vries