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 free from disease;

May everybody have good luck;

May none fall on evil days.

May everybody surmount difficulties?

May everybody have good fortune?

May everybody realize his ambitions?

May everybody rejoice every where.

- Sri Saipadananda Radhaknshna Swamiji

SAIPADANANDA

A Thought

Good and bad are according to our mental attitude. Nothing is by itself good or bad.

Everything happens for the best.

- SRI RADHAKRISHNA SWAMUI

CONTENTS

1. Never Let the Mind Idle 2. Obstacles and Objections 3. Think of Sai Baba Always 4. WORSHIP OF GOD IN SAHASRANAMA 5. Power of Guru 6. LIFE I owe you a Debt

7. Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji 8. Ambrosia for Sai Devotees 9. He stretches his protective Hand 10. The Poor boy who became a Maharaja 11. Spiritual Value of Food 12. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji's Karma Aradhana 13. Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood GetTogether 14. Shirdi Sai Baba Satsang 15. Anil Rasal A Unique personality

Editorial

Never Let the Mind Idle

Capital punishment arouses much passionate debate, both for and against its use. But did

you know that King Parikshit, grandson of the valiant Arjuna, was probably among the

first to occupy 'death row' and be executed! His crime? His impatience led him to throw a

snake around the neck of Shamik Rishi, who at the time was seated engrossed in

meditation. In retribution for such an insult, the rishi's son cursed King Parikshit and

sentenced him to die by means of snakebite! The interval between passing of the sentence

and execution was a mere one-week. Time enough to gain a last minute reprieve - only

there were no international humanitarian organizations, no political contacts, and no

Supreme courts that he could turn to. He was doomed to death.

But with only one week left to live, what was he to do? Well, he did not panic. He

accepted his fate with immense maturity and planned to meet death with dignity. He did

not rush off in a mad dash to enjoy materialistic pleasures. Instead, he turned to Shukdev

and appealed to him to narrate the divine exploits of the Lord. Listening to them totally

put his mind at ease. He felt inner peace, satisfaction and happiness, for he had realized

the glory of God, and had found the source of eternal bliss. And when the time came,

Parikshit met his fate with a smile and entered the abode of God.

In a sense, we are all on death row. From the moment we are born, we are certain at some

point to die. The only uncertain parameter is the time interval between birth and death.

Statisticians speak of declining death rates in many countries. But the very fact that one

day we will die means that the mortality rate of mankind has always been and well

always be 100% -since eventually everybody will die. It is a certainty, which fills people

with uncontrollable fear.

So how can we become free of fear and prepare for our certain demise? The technique is

given to us by Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. Just

before Sai Baba breathed his last, 'Rama Vijaya' was read during 9th, 10th and 11th day

of Dasara within Baba's hearing. He also sent word to another Muslim saint in these

terms: "The light that Allah lit, he is taking away".

Sri Narasimha Swamiji attained 'Mahasamadhi' on October 19, 1956. Even though he

was not well for a week prior to this, he directed from his bed Samaj work, dictated an

editorial to Sai Sudha, attended to visitors and meditated continuously. Just before

merging in the Eternity on January 14, 1980, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji had joined

devotees in chanting Vishnu Sahasra Namam and 'Om Namo Narayanaya' till the final

moments.

Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji used to advise us to chant Vishnu Sahasra Namam always and

if it was not possible at least to say ‘Narayana Narayana’. One should recall the leelas of

God - when one incident is finished, recall another, then another, and so on. But never let

the mind become idle. In this way our understanding of God's glory is enhanced, our life

becomes full of peace and happiness, and our fear of death disappears.

A saint knows the progress of a spiritual aspirant who comes to him. But he does not tell

him about it, even if he is asked, for two reasons. If he discloses what he knows and tells

the aspirant that he has not advanced, the remark will tend only to discourage the aspirant

and slacken his efforts. On the other hand, if he tells the aspirant that he has advanced, he

would be proud of it and pride will cause his fall. He only says: "Go ahead; God is at

your back."

Do you not see how the colour of a red object placed near glass apparently colors the

glass? In reality, no colour taints the glass. Similarly, the samsara experienced by the

senses and intellect is attributed by the ignorant to the Atman. The individual soul, by the

force of this attachment to the mind and senses, inevitably gets caught in the net of the

gunas of maya, and so undergoes the pain and pleasure of samsara. It imagines the gunas

and creates the objects of the senses and the three kinds of actions good, bad, and mixed.

This is an eternal law. The individual soul whirls in this self-created suffering of samsara,

indefinitely till he gains the knowledge of the Self.

- Adhyatma Ramayana, 4.3.22, 23-25

Obstacles and ObjectionsBy Sri Narasimha Swamiji

SEEK NAUGHT ELSE BUT GOD

"When you are right everything goes well."

Seek your centre - the Divine

Who is the pivot of the worlds?

Know, all revolve round it

At His bidding and call,

Then you have freedom and joy,

True harmony and peace

All other quests are vain

"The objection to Sai worship did not come always from orthodox sections. It came

mostly from the inertia of human nature. People do not wish to move out of ruts or

sloughs into which they have fallen. Sai bhakti is now a fact of very great religious

importance to millions of souls in this country and the SAI light is being carried across

the waters to illuminate distant corners of the earth. Sai bhakti is a live force.

Some times persons ask these questions: -Do you ask us to give up our Rama worship

and Shiva worships? And if we have those worships, why should we worship Sai? Why

should you go on propagating Sai and not Shiva or Rama?

In the first place, one has to give up all hope of satisfying such curious objections

because the objections arise not from reasoning but from the underlying mentality or

emotional factors.

The first question reminds us of the opt-quoted illustration of a leading question - Have

you left off beating your mother? Answer Yes or no - there is a vicious assumption,

which is patent in the question about the mother. Nobody would object to people

worshipping Shiva or Rama. Sai Baba sent Appa Kulkarni to worship Mohiniraj i.e.,

Shiva at Nivas before appearing to answer in a court case. He sent Shama to worship

Goddess Vani on a hill and Megha to worship Khandoba. He blamed Chandorkar for

bypassing a Datta temple.

The second question is again a baseless assumption. Nobody asked people to give up

Shiva or Rama worship and take Sai as a substitute. The question may be however

referring to the fact that several hereditary worshippers of Shiva or Rama or other Gods

have taken ardently to Sai worship which at the final stage drowns all other worship in rt.

Sai becomes finally the one God and so the same as the other forms of God eg., Shiva,

Rama etc., The worshippers find enormous, unmistakable and clear benefit accruing to

them from the heartfelt Sai worship that they are going for, and above all they felt the

presence of Sai as an ever present guardian with them, undertaking to safeguard and

advance all their temporal and spiritual interests and carrying out the undertaking by most

miraculous or remarkable means unavailable to such worshippers and undreamt of by

them till they came to Sai Baba.

Coming to the objection to any propaganda being done for Sai, the short answers are this.

The honey and flavor in the flower do propaganda for the flower to attract bees and carry

on the work of more reproduction of the plant so that the earth may be replenished and

more fruits may be had. This is nature. Similarly the bhakta after achieving so much of

welfare desires in his heart of hearts to share it with others, and therefore communicates

his experience to others so that the others may also have the same benefit following the

well-known principle – “When you get nice things to eat, do not monopolize it, but share

it with others.”

Ramanuja's Guru gave him a sacred 'mantra' for 'Moksha' consisting in the utterance of

the holy name of God and advised him not to reveal it to others, but keep it a profound

secret. What did Ramanuja do? He got up on the temple tower and shouted the 'mantra',

and later said, "If I have committed a sin, let me go to hell. But if the 'mantra', being

heard by others, will save them, let all these innumerable people who hear it get saved

hereby. I am willing to be damned to save all.

This is exactly the feeling of propagandists of Baba. Sai propaganda is downright truth

without the least tinge or taint of falsehood in rt. The present Sai propaganda is unselfish

and absolutely true.

It was Thirukkoshti Nambi, who initiated Sri Ramanuja into the ASHTAKSHARI

- 'Om Namo Narayanaya' - the Moksha Sadhana.

Think of Sai Baba AlwaysBy Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

A PRAYER

It is my joy in life to find

At every turning of the road

The strong arm of a comrade kind to help me onward with my load.

And since I have no gold to give,

And love alone must make amends,

My only prayer is, while I live -God make me worthy of my friends.

- Frank Dempster Sherman

Sai Baba is nearer to those who practice in their everyday life, what he wants to be done,

than to those who merely say 'Baba' 'Baba' without practicing. What does Baba expect

his devotees to do? Shraddha, Bhakti, constant remembrance, an attitude of humble and

total surrender and propagating his message to all as His instrument. Lord Krishna says in

the Gita that none is dear to Him than he, who propagates his immortal teachings to

others.

Man is a mixture of animal, human and divine qualities. Namasmaran is a tapasya which

is a process of eliminating the grosser qualities from the mind till it becomes pure and

divine. Human life itself is a tapasya or life of tapasya from beginning to end. A person

who has not entered this region of tapasya is no better than a corpse. Sankaracharya says,

the undisciplined mind is like a naturally restless monkey made worse by taking

intoxicating liquor.

Life is short and uncertain. None can say when the call will come. So it will be unwise to

put off sadhana. God gives us various opportunities for fulfilling His will. If we conduct

ourselves in such a way that when the time comes for us to shuffle off this mortal coil and

stand before Baba he can take us in his lap and pat us on the back and say: ‘well done

children.’

Sai Baba is beckoning to each and every one of us, to enter on the most absorbing and

fascinating journey and finding Him -the Supreme Lord of all, within our own Self. He is

the most compassionate and loving Lord, who is eagerly waiting, to take several steps

towards those who take a single step towards Him. He is like the most loving father and

mother who are eagerly waiting with delicious dishes for the return of their children from

their play.

Those who have turned their back on the illusory world of 'Maya' and all their values it

has to offer set their face resolutely on the goal of finding Him; to see Him but with their

eyes, to hear Him just not with their ears; and to understand Him - but not with their

mind. Those who have found him have dissolved in His glory and none of them survives

to tell the tale, like the salt dolls trying to find the depth of the ocean, getting dissolved in

the process.

The easiest and direct way to reach Him quickly is to surrender totally and unreservedly

to His will and allow Him to take us by the hand and lead us towards himself. If a child

catches his father's hand in a crowd there is likelihood of its being lost. But not, if the

father holds the hand of the child.

Real wisdom does not consist in making Baba do what we desire or want but in praying

to Him for strength, faith and light to put ourselves in harmony with His will and

according to what he wants. We do not know what will secure us the real peace and

lasting bliss. I can only pray 'Baba - curb all my desires - do what is best for me'. The

water rises up from the seas as clouds, then falls as rain and runs back to the sea in

streams. Nothing can stop them from returning to their source. Likewise all jeevas rising

from Sai Baba cannot be kept from rejoining Sai Baba although they may be caught up in

many eddies on the way. So let us always remember Sai Baba and that is the nearest way

to Moksha.

The Touch of a Mother

When I was a little boy and confessed a good man, my mother used to bid me kneel

beside her, and then she would place her hand upon my head as she prayed. Before I was

old enough to “know her worth”, she died, and I was left much to my own guidance.

"Like others. I was inclined to evil passions, but often felt myself checked, and as it were,

drawn back by a soft hand upon my head. When as young man, I traveled to foreign

lands, and was exposed to many temptations. But when I would have yielded, met the

same hand was upon my head, and I was saved. I seemed to feel its pressure, as in the

days of my infancy; and sometimes there came with it a solemn voice, saying, "Do not

this great wickedness, my son, nor sin against your God!"

WORSHIP OF GOD IN SAHASRANAMABy Dr. H. Janardhana Acharya

The Guru's Grace is bread and milk to the pupil and the Guru is treated as the ONLY

SADHANA by him. These are not merely the words of Baba, but are also found in the

Guru Gita written centuries ago in Skanda Purana, Baba (though never taught reading)

was an All-Realizer and did not require any study of any purana for his purpose, being

thoroughly absorbed in his Guru, who gave him all knowledge, wisdom and realization,

which is the goal of all discipleship. Baba never having touched a single book, so far as

we know in his life and thoughts, and had all achievements, Intellectual, moral, mental,

etc., and could interpret any part of any scriptures. How did he get that knowledge? By

Guru Seva. That was his answer. So seva, though looked down upon as something menial

and disgusting, and is a thing to be avoided by fashionable people, is the potent means by

which Baba achieved the highest goal of life. Perfect faith in the Guru treating him as

God enables a man, taking the water used for washing His feet as being more valuable

than all the Thirtas in the world, either in his mouth or on his head, to derive the fullest

benefit of all the Thirtas in the world, i.e., to get rid of all bad vasanas, i.e., evil

tendencies, and by purity of heart to be fitted for the perfect satva and illumination.

The worship of God as usually understood and practiced consists of waving of incense

and light with suitable hymns and songs before an image of God or something in

representation of God like Saligramam etc. This is the worship of one form of God that

has the weight of tradition behind it and its own significance. But we must be able to

worship God in all His forms as depicted in the Sahasra Nama. This can be accomplished

if we could just have some attention to the significance of each name or form.

Feeding the needy animal or human will amount to the worship of ‘Annah’ and

‘Annadah’. Callous waste of food indulged in feasts and dinners and gluttony should be

deemed as desecration of ‘Annah’ and ‘Annadah’. Good table manners are the rites of the

worship. The cook, being in reality the 'Karanan'{578) or 'Annam' and 'Annadah', he

deserved all worship in the form of respect and consideration. The kitchen man should

not be neglected as the least person in the household as is being done in modern social

order. The kitchen is entitled to all the care and cleanliness of a Pooja room.

‘Mahaswanah or Sughoshah’ (458) is worshipped by always using soft, kindly and loving

words in our conversation. Idle talk and gossip will be nothing but polluting the ever

watchful ‘Sudarshanah Kalah’ (418).

The subtle essence of the entire Sahasra Nama is that God will be pleased with 'Suvrutah'

- with one in righteous conduct. The opinion of God, the opinion of Sahasra Nama is that

one's goal (parayan) should be sathya and dharma - truth and righteousness.

The long and short of worship of the Viswathma', the first and the running word of the

Sahasra Nama comprises noble thoughts, loving words and virtuous deeds.

Don't pester me

"Please, God." the man prayed, "You know me. I'm always praying to you, and yet, I

have had nothing but bad luck, misery and despair. Look at the butcher next door. He's

never prayed in his life and he has nothing but prosperity, health and happiness. How

come a believer like me is always in trouble and he is always doing so well?" A voice

boomed from beyond, "Because the butcher doesn't pester me, that's why!"

H. H. SRI NARASIMHASWAMIJI SAYS: In Bhagavad Gita, in verse (4) 11, Sri

Krishna says, “In what -ever form you surrender to Me, in that form I respond.” The

honey and flavor in the flower do propaganda for the flower to attract bees and carry on

the work of reproduction of the plant so that the earth may be replenished and more fruits

may be had. This is Nature. Similarly many a propagandist, who is perfectly sincere, is

unconsciously a propagandist. His devout Bhakti achieving various rewards and the

supreme reward of getting Baba for one's powerful guardian, the all - round guardian to

look after every interest, is so grand, alluring and contagious, The Bhakta after achieving

so much of welfare desires in his heart of hearts to share it with others and, therefore,

communicates his experience to others so that others may also have the same benefit,

following the well-known principle or aphorism When you get nice things to eat, do not

monopolize it but share it with others." In the case of the (Founder-President of AISS

and) author of Life of Sri Sai Baba Book, that rule has been his life principle for

numerous decades. Sai propaganda is unselfish and absolutely true.

Real Love

Real love is when you are constantly watching the progress of the soul. As soon as you

cater to someone's physical desires and bad habits you do not love that soul any more.

You are just pleasing that person to avoid ill will. No matter how unpleasant it is to tell a

friend that he is wrong, if you say it with love in your heart and stand firm on it,

sometime that person will respect you if you are right. If you are wrong, even then he will

know that you did it with sincerity, out of love. Never agree with anyone who is wrong,

not even those who are nearest and dearest to you. To agree with wrong doing is to bribe

your soul in order to be looked upon favorably by the wrongdoer, and that will come out

later on in some disastrous results. Do not fight; that is not the way to convince them. The

way to influence others is by our love. Say what you have to say once or twice and then

disband it from your mind. Be humble and free from anger. Just say, "Let us wait and see.

Time will tell." Time brings out everything; and if there is a sympathetic understanding

between friends, there will be no "I was right and you were wrong" attitude.

You do not know how wonderful that kind of love is. It is sublime. At times you glimpse

it when you are very happy and feel that oneness with God in others - when you love

each other because God is your Father, irrespective of any human relation.

- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

Power of Guru

(From the glorious life of Narasinh Mehta)By Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar

THE WISE MAY NOT BE HANDSOME

Joshua Ben Hananiah who lived in the second century AD is said to have been one of the

wisest men of human history. He was positively not handsome. A Roman princess who

met him for the first time said disappointedly, ‘Oh! That such glorious wisdom should

come from such a homely vessel!’ And Hananiah replied, 'Princess, wine is not kept in

vessels of gold.'

Narasinh Mehta is a well-known ‘Bhakta Poet’; His devotional bhajans are sung to this

day mostly in Gujarat and Saurashtra since he wrote them in Gujarati. He was born in a

Nagar Brahmin family, in Talaja, a village near Junagadh in 1414. He was born dumb.

His grandmother, Jayakunvar, raised him.

Narasinh often used to accompany his grandmother to the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Mandir

for darshan and listen to the bhajans. Once when he was eight years old, Jayakunvar

approached an ascetic at the Mandir. The ascetic glanced at little Narasinh and

prophesied that he would become a great bhakta. But, Jayakunvar informed him that the

boy is dumb. The ascetic then gave him a herb and asked him to chant 'Radhe Krishna'.

Miraculously Narasinh started chanting 'Radhe Krishna'. His early life was full of misery,

as his sister-in-law gave him a lot of tribulation. He married and had two children and his

family life too was full of misery.

After his wife's death, he took his children and left home. Once Lord Shiva gave him

darshan and asked him for a wish. Narasinh asked for the darshan of 'Krishna's 'Rasa

Lila', which Mahadev granted. He then returned to Junagadh singing jubilantly.

Once to perform 'Shraddha' he invited several Brahmins to dine at his house. But one

devious Brahmin went around town inviting the whole town clan to Narasinh Mehta's

house. Narasinh had gone to buy some ghee. On the way he met a devotee and started

singing bhajans. Back home, a great crowd had begun pouring in. But a miracle occurred.

His daughter could not understand where the cooks and the raw materials were coming

from. They had begun to cook sumptuous sweets and other items. When Narasinh Mehta

returned home, he saw the guests leaving having satisfied themselves.'

Once a group of pilgrims on their way to Dwaraka asked to be directed to a person who

would write a note of credit - 'hundi'. They were, out of spite, directed to Narasinh Mehta.

The gullible Narasinh wrote a 'hundi' for three hundred rupees on a merchant named

Shamal Shah Sheth and composed a prayer: 'O Lord -please accept my note of credit'.

When the pilgrims sought for Shama Shah at Dwaraka no one had heard that name. But

the Lord himself assumed that form and accepted the hundi.

Lives of bhaktas are generally filled with tests of faith in the form of calumny or physical

harm by the ignorant and evil elements of society. Narasinh Mehta's was no different.

People complained to the King that Narasinh is behaving contrary to scriptural law. The

King decided to test Narasinh's purity. He summoned Narasinh to the palace and

informed him of his plan - "I will place a garland around Damodar's neck in the mandir

and lock the door from outside. If by next morning that garland is found around your

neck, I will consider you innocent."

Narasinh started singing Lord's leela devotedly. Then a miracle occurred. The mandir

doors flew open. The garland drifted through the air and gracefully fell around Narasinh

Mehta's neck. The king became his ardent devotee. He died at the age of sixty - six but

through his bhajans, he has attained an eternal place in the hearts of devotees.

LIFE I owe you a DebtBy R. K. Dalai

The great Hindi poet Suradasa, who, though blind, had an enlightened heart and a

Divine vision, has well said - "who has named you Govinda, you always believe in give

and take but unfortunately, this could not be done by me. You made Sudama a rich man

because he offered you rice. You protected Draupadi because she offered cloth to you.

You liberated the elephant (from the clutches of the crocodile) because he offered flower

to you. But when it happened to be the turn of 'Suradasa' You have become hard hearted

and have turned deaf ears towards him. O my Lord, who has given you the name

Govinda.

- Swami Rama Tirtha

I owe life an irreparable debt of gratitude. God has endowed me gifts with both hands.

When I think of it, I say with tears in my eyes: 'How much He gives! How little I

deserve!'

The heart that melts at the sorrow of another and feels affinity to the humblest of God's

creation is a neither treasure that money cannot buy nor avarice envy. Often it bows in

humility or in adoration to the Stupendous Power that rules and regulates this world.

I crave no riches, proud name clever ingenious brain, a muscular body or forbidding

countenance.

I crave simplicity, asceticism, detached state of desirelessness. I really wish to do well

and throw it on the way. 1 doesn’t want to see the effect and assess its excellence and

value. ‘Live and let live’ is my motto, ‘love and forgive’ is my ideal. In all things I want

to cultivate reverence for life. I shall not kill an insect if I can help it.

If life is so much joy to you and you cling to it as a miser clings to his bag of gold, what

right have you to destroy life and the joy of another? Let them drink at the Fountain of

Life as you do. What God has created in His wisdom, let no man destroy.

Often and always, I want to live for:

A little more kindness, a little less creed;

A little more giving, a little less greed;

A little more smile, a little less frown;

A little less kicking a man, when he's down;

A little more 'We', a little less'!';

A little more laugh, a little less cry;

A little more flowers on the pathway of Life,

A fewer on graves at the end of the strife."

When I sleep, O Lord! Close my eyes with Your blessed hands, and let me dream of Thy

Vision - Thy Vision alone. When I live, let me walk in Thy Image. When I die, let my

last words be: "O Lord! How grateful I am for your gifts."

Let me close this with a poem:

"When the great Eternal Auditor,

My Book of Life receives.

And He checks the daily entries

That is written on the leaves;

May He find the accounts in order?

And no need for fear or shame,

But a credit carried forward

To the glory of His Name."

Life, I owe you an irreparable debt of gratitude!

(Courtesy: Bhavan's Journal)

CREAM

Be rid of T and 'mine'

Be mentally united with the Lord

Be of firm resolve and steadfast of mind

Be balanced in pairs of opposites, like joy and sorrow, heat and cold, etc.

Be the same in favorable and Unfavorable circumstances

Be regular in Yoga and meditation

Be upright in body, speech and mind

Be devout in the service of the preceptor

Be non-violent in thought, word and deed

Be contented with whatever is available

Be pure internally and externally

Be full of devotion to the Lord

Be friendly and compassionate

Be forgiving and impartial

Be free from envy, perturbation and tear

Be free torn the sense of doer ship

Be free from attachment

Be free from self-esteem and egotism

Be free from malice towards all beings

Be free from anger even on provocation OF G1TA

Abstain from gossip

Accept both praises and reproach alike

Cultivate humility

Cultivate perfect purity of mind

Chant God's Name and sing His glories

Do charities in its Sattwic Form?

Do not hate or slander

Do not grieve

Develop dispassion towards the

Objects of enjoyment of the world

Develop forbearance, fearlessness,

Sublimity, fortitude and mildness

Keep control over body, mind and senses

Ponder constantly over the hollowness

Of birth, death old age and desire

Surrender mind and resign to the Lord

See the divine in all and love all alike

Study the teachings of the Vedas and other sacred books

Treat alike both friend and foe

Take to contemplation

Worship God as well as elders,

UNIVERSAL RELIGION

Caste, creed and race questions arise out of mutual jealousy and antagonism, among

persons whose ideas of self centre almost entirely on their body. The soul has no race or

caste or creed. Any jeeva rising above the "body is the self" idea is free from the

attachment of repulsions involved in these. Sai Baba was a self - realized soul

worshipped as God by thousands of all castes and races. How can he have any ideas of

his belonging to any particular race, caste or creed? Once when a commissioner asked

him what his race, caste or creeds were, his answer was that he was God and his religion

was Kabir (Which may mean God's or the Saint Kabirs). Yet to meet everyone on his

own level, Baba has said at times that he was a Brahmin, born of Brahmin parents living

at Pathri, in the Nizam's Dominions. He, however, lived amidst Muslims as a Muslim.

This, he accounted for by his declaration that when very young his parents handed him

over to a Muslim fakir who there upon, brought him up for four or five years. After the

fakir's death, his widow took the boy and left him with care of a great Brahmin saint at

Selu known as Sri Venkatesa Guru. After ten years service with that Guru, Baba received

his full grace and became Brahmajani and mighty Saint. Baba thus became Brahman -not

merely Brahmin "Brahmaiva Bhavati" i.e. the knower of Brahman is Brahmin.

- By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji By Prof. R N .Iyengar

Swamiji has started for Madurai early in the morning by 5AM. Krishnamurthy, Bhaskara

Rao and Doraiswamy are also accompanying us. After a short distance of some 25

kilometers, the car started troubling. We had to return to Bangalore to get the car properly

fixed up. Swamiji started Vishnu Sahasranama soon after returning to Ashram by 7 A.M.

It is not certain when we start for Madurai.

Since the repair of the car took a long time, it is proposed that we start for Madurai

tomorrow. In the evening a lady devotee, along with her son spent considerable time with

Swamiji. She has returned from Badrinath. She explained in great detail her experiences

in the Himalyas. Swamiji is talking to us after the lady left the place.

"You see love and affection are beyond caste and creed. But this need not be taken in a

worldly sense. As a ripe fruit separates from the tree of its own accord, one should also

wait for self ripening. Improving the lot of the downtrodden and service to the weaker

sections of the society is important. Yes, we can give good education, we can teach them

Narayana Mantra as Ramanuja did. But by just eating a meal with them or by cleaning

their house once a while what can be achieved? These become gimmicks for publicity.

Do you understand my views?

We should not have political intentions while doing social service. This is how I am

interacting with this world. Nothing can be expected of me beyond the above. I have not

had the necessity to eat in all places. But for partaking of Prasad, I am one among other

devotees. In accepting Lord's Prasad, we should not make discrimination of caste or

creed. But for taking food, one may have ones own choice. These may also change

according to the circumstances. Suppose you are forced to go to a hotel for eating and

you are in the company of strange persons, then you should recite Brahmarpanam

Brahmatavih Brahma Gnan Brahmana hutam Brahmaiva tena gantavyam Brahma Karma

Samadhina. You should suggest to yourself that you are not going to get affected by the

company and surroundings. Of course, this would be possible, in its fullest sense only for

a Jnani, because for such a person Brahmarpanam is realized as being an offering1-, to the

Vaishwanara fire...

"You see, at every step it is the mind which matters. You know the story of that Muslim

girl, don't you? She is Bibi Nachiyar, in Tamil. She was in love with Vishnu so much;

there is a temple also for her. If the Lord's image had to go behind her what could have

been the reason? She had surrendered her whole self to Him! Do you follow this; the

important component here is the mind, not the outward figure. For example, shaven head,

saffron cloth etc., are not all important. You see, that lady who had come is not a

Brahmin lady. But then what is the difference, nothing! She is so much devoted to me.

Here we should not be looking at one's caste. We can show affection, and respect to any

deserving person at any place. But there need not be a compulsion to eat in their house. It

is possible our taste may be different. Also by eating under compulsion our mind may get

affected. But at the same time under emergent conditions anywhere. This is permitted by

the Shastras also.

"Swamiji, that our mind may get influenced by the type of food we take is too subtle a

point to be understood."

"Yes, you are right. This is indeed a very subtle point. People look at all the Swamis and

saints, if they are wearing saffron, people remain at a distance. At some places, people

are not allowed to touch the feet of the Swamis. But you see here, when the devotees look

at me, they perhaps feel that I am one among them, they touch my feet. What is there in

this action? Do you know about my feelings? If a few persons get a little bit of happiness

this way all right; why should I deny them happiness?"

"Swamiji, some feel that they may become impure by the touch of others. Even here not

all touch your feet; many bow on the ground at a distance only."

"Yes, yes, some people say like this, I know. But you see, I do not feel like this at all.

How can I become impure by some one touching my body? Who is pure? You tell me. If

you take this body, this is always a dirty place. On the other hand, if you take the mind as

the location, so long we recite the name of the Lord, we are pure. The day we do not

think of Him, we are impure, I have watched our people in our villages. The innocent

rural folk go round the temple muttering "Shiva, Shiva". Oh! How pure is their mind?

This bathing, dressing are all for external show only. Whenever some one bows to me I

say 'Narayana, Narayana.' I am only a tool or a medium. There obeisance goes to the

Lord only. So it cannot have any effect on me. But, if I think - oh, this fellow did not bow

to me, only that person respect me than I am gone; because, this would mean I have

become an egoist. Feelings of egoism should not arise. Depending on the will of the

Lord, some bow to me, and some others do not; that is all what I feel. You understand

this point. In a sense all the holy idols are only pieces of stone. But through them as

symbols, one can reach God. The same analogy holds good for Swamijis and sanyasees

also".

"Swamiji: Are Gayatri japa and Sandhya necessary?

"Yes, yes. These discipline the mind. Gayatri japa is very essential. You see several types

of women come to the place. Our mind has to be calm and free from all types of

perturbations. For a dispassionate but alert mind in perfect equilibrium, Gayatri,

Sandhyavandana are necessary. But after a state is reached, when you are always in Him,

then you may not need these props. This is like a ripe fruit. It falls off on its own. But

when the mind is not ripe, one should not imagine as though one is mature. One should

get Jnana (Knowledge) from experience. That is only the right type of knowledge.

Whoever he may be, a celibate, a householder or a monk, self-experience is very

essential. The way for this is repetition of His names. Let us always remember Him, let

us not get upset by any happening or agency. You see what happened today. The car

broke down. But I am not upset by this. Lord's wish has been like this, that we should get

the prasad of Badrinath! With what love and affection that lady brought the prasad all the

way from Badrinath. If I were not here, she would have been disappointed. She should

not return disheartened and we should also be blessed, such has been the will of the

Lord!”

Prayer

Almighty God, the doer of everything, the giver of good things and the inspirer of all

noble ideas and ideals, without whose grace all our endeavors are useless, all our attempts

fruitless, bless our deeds so that we may find enough zeal to serve the needy, help the

poor, lift the downtrodden, feed the hungry and console the grief-stricken and also to earn

our daily bread by the sweat of our brow.

Teach me to be completely unselfish so that I may live and work together with my

fellow-men at peace. Forsaking all, let me place my whole being in Thy hands and

commit my cause to Thee for divine disposal in due season for my good. Guide me in the

minutest details and give me the strength for testing times. Enable me to empty my heart

of all useless cares, to resist all temptations, to restrain all longings and to relinquish lust

so that I may find real rest within the closet of my heart. Let not the world be too much

with me lest I should be drawn away with sundry desire and moved with every wind of

words. Help me to keep silence in an evil time to say that Thy Will will be done. Let my

intentions be pure so that I may never find myself in the valley of despair, but pass safely

through any storm. Knowing that God's grace always seeks a humble heart, I bow before

Thee in the quiet of this hour and lie low in Thy power so that I may learn that Truth

alone makes rich and great.

- By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

Ambrosia for Sai DevoteesBy D. V. Murthy

God stands for unity, harmony and oneness. When we make God our very own, we

realize unity in diversity and so we will have harmony within and harmony without. We

will then create a tranquil atmosphere around us, and then there will be no strife, conflict

or war that is why we must turn to that Spirit within us which stands for unity and

harmony.

Poojya Sri Narasimha Swamiji, who familiarized our Samartha Sadguru Sri Shirdi Sai

Baba to millions of devotees all over the country, was an apostle worthy of great esteem

and veneration. After his first visit to Shirdi and to the very end he breathed and talked

SAI and dedicated himself to Sai Prachar work traveling all over the country.

All of us of this generation, who were fortunate enough to come in contact with him

during his lifetime, should consider ourselves lucky and blessed. Apart from his

innumerable writings like "Wondrous Saint Sri Sai Baba", "Sri Sai Baba Charters",

"Devotees Experiences" etc., one of the most significant contributions of Swamiji was the

composition of "SRI SAI BABA ASHTOTTARA NAMAVALI", recanting the

innumerable, auspicious attributes of Baba for daily Parayana which are chanted by

devotees in Sri Sai worship daily.

Unlike other Ashtottaras, which are usually composed in alphabetical order, Swamiji's

Ashtottara Namavali starts with the basic personality of Baba that he could be Sri Rama

or Sri Krishna to some, Sri Dattatreya to someone else, or Maruthi to others etc.

Thereafter, it deals first with the material benefits conferred like food, shelter, clothing,

riches, good health summed up aptly as "Yoga Kshema".

Very interestingly Baba never permitted his devotees to observe fast. He used to say that

with pangs of hunger it would be difficult for any to fully concentrate on the spiritual

side. The help rendered during distress of the devotees is described as "Aapathbandhava".

Baba is also the guide during one's life journey and problems faced being

"Maargabandhu." He is also the Supporter - "Jeevadhara" who has taken the vow to

protect his devotees 'Bhaktavana Pratignya." Thereafter comes the very apt description

"Bhukti-Mukti Swarga Marga - Daya - the bestower of worldly pleasures.

One of the descriptions given of Baba is the helper of the helpless - and protector of

unprotected "Asahaya-Sahayaya" and "Anaathanatha Deena Bandhu" but the best to my

mind is "Sarva Bhavabruta" sums up my real Baba all these seventy and odd years who

takes the entire burden of the devotees on himself. "Look unto me" and I look to you" has

been the key word as to why millions flock to him for succor and strength.

Many of us believe in the laws of "Karma". It is also said that all our present misery and

troubles in this world are due to our past Karmas {Prarabdha Karma) and one has to

undergo the results of the same. It is also said that in case of Sadgurus, they have the

power to mitigate the Karmik effects. Sri Sai was and is one who has this power as

experienced by his many devotees and is aptly put as "Karma - Dhvamsine" and

"Ashakya Rahitaya" as one for whom nothing is impossible.

Our entire life provides instances of special blessings in times of dire need and distress

when we recite "Om Sri Sai Aapthabandhavya Namah", we automatically recollect the

myriad instances where He came to our succour and tears swell in our eyes. The same is

the case with many other Naamas in the Namavali.

The piece de resistance of the Naamavali is perhaps the apt description - "Bhaktanugraha

Kataraya" the one tremulously eager to shower His blessings on His devotees. What an

apt description of Baba; But do we deserve him?

In a way the recitation of Ashtottara Shata Naamavali is a very handy Sadhana to all

householder Sai devotees to directly commune with Him with our limited vocabulary and

coupled with Bhaava will surely lead to our goal.

Sri Sai Ashtottara can be recited individually or in groups. It has been our experience that

Group chanting with "Bhava" (feeling) has been found to confer immense benefits to one

and all.

God is all love and kindness and He means no ill. He is also the sole doer. If we have this

faith and surrender, we can remain happy and cheerful in all conditions.

Bhakti Yoga

A miser who is attached to wealth thinks always of wealth. So also when the devotee's

heart is awakened and he has intense longing for God, he remembers God constantly.

Many people say that when they repeat God's name they cannot concentrate upon God.

This is because they have no longing for Him. This longing for God and holding God as

our dearest object of love is Bhakti.

Bhakti, as described in the Narada Bhakti Sutra, is Parama Prem - greatest love for God.

When you have the greatest love for God, automatically your mind will be remembering

Him; otherwise, your mind will run here and there, because you have greater love for

worldly things. You must have PARAMA PREM for God. When this Prem or Bhakti is

created in the heart by the contact of a saint, and then you cannot but pine for Him and

hunger for Him day and night and therefore remember Him constantly and become mad

of Him. It is divine madness that seizes you in this state. All allurements of the world

leave you and all the pleasures of the senses appear as dust or ashes to you. Your one

longing is to realize God; to feel Him and to see Him. This is the kind of devotion, the

concentrated, one pointed and entire longing for God that brings you near Him and

ultimately makes you feel one with Him.

- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

He Stretches his Protective HandBy R. Seshadri

Truth or Reality can be attained only through the grace of God. 'God, Guru and Self are

one,' says Ramana Maharshi. Sai Baba has accorded an exalted place for the Guru, who

dispels the ignorance of the devotee and imparts knowledge of the Sat and facilitates his

Liberation, the Guru also fulfils the legitimate needs of his devotee, ensuring his

wellbeing here and thereafter.

Way back in 1962, I was invited by the U.S. State and Defence Departments for a tour of

nine States, newspapers and Defence establishments. It was a group comprising senior

journalists from India. Though I was not very keen on going out of the country, Sadguru

Radhakrishna Swamiji told me that I should as a journalist, undertake the tour with an

open mind. He had also given a few instructions as regards my food and performance of

some daily duties.

The group having been provided with a plane for the jampacked tour, I enjoyed meeting

various people. Government officials and private citizens and Media people, besides

attending a press conference addressed by President J.F. Kennedy.

After about 19 days, while on our way to Warranton (Virginia), for a seminar, I had a

frightening dream in which our plane collided with a huge heavenly object and a

passenger was injured. I woke up with a start, feeling my breast pocket for the 'Udhi' and

started chanting the Lord's name. When the plane landed at the Warranton Airport, it

started raining. We were received and taken by a large Defence Department vehicle to the

venue of the seminar, about 20 miles away. Before we reached our destination, there was

an accident.

Out vehicle, in which I had occupied a window seat, overturned causing some confusion

and fear as the exit doors had got jammed. I was concentrating on my Guru without

losing my cool. Luckily a farmer was coming from the opposite direction in his tractor.

He managed to put our vehicle on the road with the help of some local people and we

reached our venue late.

I had managed to send a message to Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji at Bangalore, who also

wrote back to me before I returned; stating that he knew that there would be a mishap and

I that I would not come to harm. He had also asked me to find out from my wife after my

return where he (Swamiji} was, when the accident occurred, calculating the difference in

the time.

Soon after safely reaching Bangalore, I asked my wife whether there was any special

event on the day (of the mishap). She informed me that Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, who

had come along with Sri Subbaramaiah, a close devotee of his, and Swamiji were in deep

meditation in our Pooja Room.

This shows how a Guru, anticipating some problem for his devotee, visited his home and

offered prayers to ensure his safety. Sri Swamiji alone Knew why he should have come

all the way to my residence. Could he not have performed the rescue act from his place?

Universal Love

The one great truth that the future will be impressing on all righteous souls is that Truth is

one, that it is viewed and appreciated by numerous people in divergent - nay, conflicting -

ways; that the supreme duty of all is the recognition of fraternity of all sincere and earnest

seekers of Truth and that intolerance should be completely banished. Sri Sai is the

forerunner of this coming race and showed such latitude, tolerance, and fraternity as part

of his nature - universal love. Sai's teachings and example are diffusing this latitude and

love among all castes and creeds, though, unfortunately, exceptions to this rule abound

and that too for very natural reasons.

Intolerance, tearing each other and delighting in extinguishing one's opponents are part of

our brute nature and conceal themselves under the guise and cloak of orthodoxy in

religion.

Sai Baba is the universal teacher, guide, and leader while leading the Adwaitin to the

dizzy heights of non difference; he took care to see that the orthodox Dwaitins among

Christians, Moslems, and Hindus, were not upset by his latitudinarianism and idealism.

With Dwaitins, he was a Dwaitin, and with Adwaitins, he was an Adwaitin. To really

ardent bhaktas dealing with him as their Man-God, he showed that they were right in

their own attitude.

- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

The Poor boy who became a Maharaja

By S. Maneey

It is shameful to be afflicted with sorrow, even in human life- Only those persons should

suffer from sorrow and affliction whose parents are no more. Why lament? Fortunately,

your father, Lord Rama, is ever alive. Just see the miracle. Give up all your worries and

expectations. Do not entertain any selfish desire. Only be firm in your divinity you will

see that all the gods will be prepared to help you at all cost.

- Swami Rama Tirtha

Every one in Mysore seems to know Sri Narayana Raju’s Sai Mandir, a spiritual seeker's

offering to his Guru. A steady stream of devotees visits the temple, which becomes a

flood on Thursdays and unmanageable during Guru Poornima and Mahasamadhi

celebrations.

The inscription at the entrance reads :

Sri Prasanna Sai Mandir

Thiagaraja Road, K.R. Mohalla.

Foundation stone laid by His Highness

Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar in 1954

As one climbs the steps, his soles get washed by the water sprinkler. The Sai mandir has

a very spacious, high roofed prayer hall, which can accommodate about a thousand

people at a time. Worship is made to Sri Sai Baba idol, which is made of black stone. The

idol is of sitting Dwarakamai posture. Facing the idol of Sai Baba is a balcony which was

constructed for the Royal family of Mysore, which used to observe in privacy, the Sai

Pooja by Sri Raju, The prayer hall contains colorful chandeliers, and colored portraits of

saints. Facing the entrance is Ramana Maharshi's portrait.

This Mandir also has a separate place for Dhuni and for Dwarakamai. The Dwarakamai

portrait of Sai Baba here appears to attract anyone by the sheer power of the gaze. This

portrait was made by Sri Jayakar's son. (Sri Jayakar, it may be remembered, made the oil

painting of Sai Baba which is in Dwarakamai, Shirdi) Sri Narayana Raju has, by his

tireless efforts, made the Mandir into a self-contained and self-sustaining unit, with its

own chariots and a choultry.

Guru Poornima and Mahasamadhi days are special functions. Guru Poornima is

celebrated for five days, with mass feeding on all the five days. The rich and poor mingle

together to partake the prasad. At the end of the function, Baba's portrait is taken in

procession in a chariot in the streets of Mysore, with ail pomp and pageantry.

Sri Narayana Raju, the Founder (1901-1985), was born poor and poverty stalked him

throughout his early years. His parents could not give him even one meal per day, on

many days. But the boy had developed a spiritual bent of mind and would be seen

meditating quite often. Someone had given him a small photo of Ramana Maharshi,

which he kept always in his shirt pocket.

Strange are the turning points in a person's life. One such happened in this way. One day

Raju was more dejected than usual, not having succeeded in alleviating the miserable

existence and in spite of prayers to Ramana Maharshi. On his way to the school thinking

that no purpose would be served by his existence, was about to end his life. Ramana

Maharshi appeared before the boy and physically prevented him from doing the foolish

act. Walking with him till Hardinge Circle, Mysore, he assuaged the feelings of the boy

by encouraging and comforting advice. Before parting he told the boy "you are

earmarked to do the work of a Mahapurusha. He will come into your life and will look

after you" This incident, possibly happened before the Mahasamadhi of Sai Baba,

because the boy Raju was then of school going age.

Several years passed in the life of Raju and no Mahapurusha was to be seen. But

unknown to the boy, the Mahapurusha foretold by Ramana Maharshi had in fact entered

his life. A well wisher of the family had given a photo of Sai Baba stating that the photo

is of a great saint and by his worship the family's hardship would be alleviated. This

photo which the family worshipped is still with the descendents of Sri Narayana Raju. It

took quite a time of Ramana Maharshi's prophesy to unfold. In fact, it was in 1934, that

Sri Narayana Raju realized Sri Sai Baba. After this Sri Sai Baba began to guide Sri

Narayana Raju at step Sri Narayana Raju was seized with the idea that he would do

something to propagate the name of Sai Baba. He brought Sai Baba to public notice, as

he began to worship him in small place in K.T Street, which is near Prabha-Theatre,

Mysore. The Sai movement here had a small beginning.

Sri Narayana Raju had become endowed with some powers which he began to utilize for

public welfare. More and more people, the influential and the wealthy, began to flock to

the temple But he remained a simple spiritual man.

We shall narrate here two incidents about him: His Highness Sri Jayachamarajendra

Wodeyar's sister was a frequent visitor to the Mandir. On one such visit, Sri Narayana

Raju told her "Your brother has planned to go to Germany. Please tell him not to go." But

the Maharaja could not be dissuaded. He went ahead. He was to catch the plane from

Bombay. For some reason he was delayed in reaching the airport, and he saw the plane

taking off. While taking off, the plane burst and crashed. The chastened Maharaja

returned to Mysore.

The marriage hall/choultry was being constructed. Sri Narayana Raju was choosy in

accepting money; with the result the progress was slow and tardy. Many times it would

cease altogether. Even an advanced soul like Sri Narayana Raju felt stranded and

helpless. One night Baba appearing in his dream asked him to meet Him in the Dhyana

Mandir. (Dhyana Mandir is an underground cell below the prayer hall where Sri

Narayana Raju used to meditate). Sri Narayana Raju getting up sat in meditation. He saw

Baba telling him "Narayana, I know your plight. Take all these and use them for the

construction". He saw Baba pouring before him bags of gold and money. Sri Narayana

Raju answered. "Baba, you know that I have not cared for wealth or money. I shall not

bother myself about the construction. Why should I worry when you are there?" At this

Baba disappeared. The next day Sri Narayana Raju received a cheque for Rs. One lakh

from a Sai devotee to be used towards the building construction! After arathi to Sai

Baba, arathi is also performed to Sri Narayana Raju's idol, followed by a full - throated

Sri Narayana Maharaj ki Jai, from the devotees. From a poor boy to a Maharaja - yes,

Baba transformed him to a SPIRITUAL MAHARAJA.

Spiritual Value of Food

By K. Navin Chander

Light and Love the night has a thousand eyes,

And the day but One; yet the light of the bright world dies

With the dying sun. The mind has a thousand eyes,

And the heart but one;

Yet the fight of a whole life dies

When love is done.

The old saint looked kindly at the old businessman but declined to attend the dinner

proposed by him. All persuasions yielded no result. Finally the businessman slowly

moved out of the ashram. After a distance, a disciple of the saint came from behind and

said that he should not feel disappointed and that he would come and attend the dinner on

behalf of the saint and bless him. The businessman agreed and next day the dinner was

held.

On that night after dinner the disciple could not meditate at all and could hear a low

moaning of a girl. This went on for three days. Ultimately, the disciple approached his

Guru and complained. The Guru asked him to mention all that he had done in the last few

days. The disciple made a clean breast of the only unusual event of the dinner he had in

the businessman's house.

The all-knowing Guru told him that the businessman was merciless money-lender. A

poor agriculturist could not repay the debt and the interest on it. He threatened the

helpless man and finally married his teen-aged daughter in lieu of his debt as he had no

male issue till then. This girl was most unhappy at the turn of events and wept silently in

her lone moments. In that frame of mind, she prepared the dinner which the disciple ate.

The Guru explained that while cooking, the personality of the cook would enter the food

through subtle vibrations. These unseen vibrations will later enter into the personality of

the eater and influence his mind. That is the reason why his meditations were disturbed.

The Guru explained that what goes into the mouth would greatly influence what comes

out of it and shape our lives. The food prepared in a spiritual frame of mind, thinking

only of God or Sadguru, will always give peace of mind, with powers to divinely

discriminate between good and evil. Food especially taken in hotels prepared and served

with ungodly tendencies, unruly behaviour and foul in mouth do great harm to the

spiritual make-up of a person.

Once in October 1916, Bhikubhai came to Shirdi with barfi, watermelon and a garland to

offer to Sai Baba. She was a childhood friend of Mother Radhakrishna Ayi and as she

crossed Godavari River in Kopergaon she saw the cremation site of Radhakrishna Ayi,

Overcome with emotion, she collapsed at the site and wept bitterly. She felt Sai Baba was

ungrateful to Radhakrishna Ayi after all services to Baba. She vehemently accused Baba.

In such a frame of mind, she came to Shirdi and offered barfi and watermelon to Sai

Baba. The all-knowing Baba refused to accept them. When she wanted to garland Baba

even against remount’s rations, mysteriously the garland snapped itself into three parts.

Bhikubai had to return disappointed, Kaka Sahib asked Baba as to why he refused the

gifts of Bhikubai. Baba explained to him that he cannot accept the eatables nor wear the

garland brought with such a troubled heart and mental uneasiness.

Sai Baba exhorted his devotees to think of Him before they partook their food which

would then become sanctified from any spiritual impurities. Every action of Baba had a

meaning behind it. If we go deeper into the matter we will thus begin to understand why

he acted so even while looking harsh externally.

The Tree of Life

By Lama Anagarika Govinda

The heavens of the gods are in the life-tree's crown,

But in the course of time even their pleasures cease.

And one by one they fall

From their bright realm

And drop like falling stars

Into the earth's dark womb,

The life-tree's roots

Grow from the night of death,

Embracing the dark realms

With golden nets.

The life-juice of the stars

Is rising in its trunk.

Transforming steadily

The powers of the dark.

Innumerable suns

Bloom in the life-tree's twigs,

Surrounded by their planets

As by swarming bees.

To be reborn as men

and learn through pain and strife,

That from the night of death

Is born the greater life.

Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji’s Krama Aradhana

By S. Syama Rao

The 18th Krama Aradhana of H.H. Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji was

celebrated at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore, on January 25, 1998. A four - day

program was arranged from January 23 to January 25,1998, starling with a slide-show

cum lecture by Dr. R. Narayana Iyengar, a close devotee of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

and presently Director of Central Buildings Research Institute, Roorke. The slides

covered a variety of functions like Guru Poornima, Pada Pooja, Vishnu Sahasranama

Homa in which Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji participated and his visits to many places of

interest. Dr. Narayana Iyengar explained in detail the occasion of each photograph and

spoke about the unique character of Swamiji, his love and compassion for the devotees.

A 'Satsangha' was organized on the evening of January 24, which was attended by a large

number of devotees. The devotees spoke on their experiences of Swamiji and Baba. Sri

R. Seshadri, President, Sri Sai Spiritual Centre and Sri. R. Parthasarathy, former Asst.

New Editor of The Hindu, were on the Dias.

A large number of devotees participated in the Samoohika Abhisheka to Sadguru Sri

Sainath Maharaj, H.H. Sri Narasimha Swamiji and H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji on

January 25 morning immediately after Kakad Arathi.

After Abhisheka, Krama Aradhana of Swamiji was performed by Sri D. V. Krishna

Murthy, a close devotee of Swamiji, in accordance with Vedic rites. The rituals were

conducted by Veda Brahmashri Sri Srinivas. After Thirlhanarayana Pooja and Arathi,

Prasad was distributed to all the devotees present. More than one thousand devotees

participated in the Krama Aradhana and received the Prasad.

The same evening, the First Anniversary of Saipadananda Brotherhood meeting was held

in the Meditation Hall. (A detailed report of this meeting appears elsewhere in this issue).

A public meeting was held in the evening, presided over by Sri R. Seshadri, President of

the Centre. Air Commodore T. M. M. Raghavan, Vice President, (explained the aims,

objects and activities of Sri SaiPadananda Brotherhood) introduced the speakers on the

Dias viz., Sri R. Parthasarthy, Sri C. V. Bhaskara Rao and Prof. P. S. Narayana Rao.

Sri Seshadri spoke on H.H. Swamiji with special reference to less known Anecdotes of

Swamiji. The audience was thrilled to know such experiences. Sri Parthasarathy spoke

with emotion on the 'Apostle of Love' and his love towards his devotees. He narrated the

deep devotion of a lady devotee, Mrs. Jyothi Contractor.

Sri Bhaskara Rao spoke on 'Baba', the Great Master and how Baba worked for the uplift

of His devotees from the worldly samsara. Dr. Narayana Rao, spoke both on the life of

Baba and Swamiji. Sri S. Syama Rao, Secretary of the Centre, proposed a vote of thanks.

Sri Mothilal Gupta, Mrs. Gupta and Sri S.C. Gupta from Delhi, Sri Hari Shankar Bakul

and Sri Pradeep Bakul from Bombay, Sri R. Parthasarathy, Mrs. Parthasarathy, Sri Jyothi

Raghavan, Mrs. Jyothi Raghavan and Sri Jagadeeshan from Madras specially had come

down to Bangalore, to participate in the Aradhana.

The outstation dignitaries were honored with Sesha Vastras by the Centre. The next day,

Dr. Narayana Rao, assisted by Kum. Sunanda presented a cultural program by the

children of Saipadananda Bala Vihara members. The children gave a number of cultural

events, like dance, music and episodes from the lives of Sai Baba Sri Ramakrishna

Parama Hamsa and Sri Vivekananda. Sri Seshadri distributed prizes to the children in

Dance, Drama and various other competitions held earlier.

Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood Get - Together

By Sri T.M.M. Raghavan

The Second Bi-Annual Get-Together of Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood members took

place at the Sri Sai Spiritual Centre on Swamiji's Aradhana Day on Sunday 25th January,

1998. Nearly 70 members attended. After invocation by Sri B.V.L.N. Murthy, Sri R.

Seshadri, President, SSC, welcomed the gathering and spoke on the uniqueness of

Swamiji among modern saints. He said that such get-togethers should take place twice a

year during Swamiji's Jayanthi and Aradhana days. Air-Cmde T.M.M. Raghavan

presented a report of the proceedings of the first Get-Together held on 27th April, 1997,

and reminded the members of the objectives of the Brotherhood and the Pledge taken by

all of us to truly and faithfully follow the teachings of Swamiji in our lives and endeavor

our best to spread the message of our Swamiji amongst our family members, neighbors

and friends".

Several members participated in the discussion that followed and offered various

suggestions. Sri C. V. Bhaskara Rao emphasized the importance of chanting regularly

Vishnu Sahasranama, which was dear to the Swamiji. Dr, P.S. Narayana Rao suggested

that a small pocket size booklet thus spoke Radhakrishna Swamiji, should be brought out.

Sri Puttanna informed that he was already bringing out hand written copies of

"Saipadananda Vachanamrita" in Kannada. He suggested regular activities like 3 hrs,

chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama, Chanting of Bhagvadgeetha, Study Circle reading and

discussion of "Apostle of Love" etc., Sri. D.V. Krishna Murthy suggested that Dr. PS.

Narayana Rao's Kannada translation of the book should also be included in the readings.

Dr. B.K. Raghu Prasad suggested that one or two pages in "Saipadananda" Magazine

should be devoted exclusively to Brotherhood news. Capt. Ramamurthy felt that devotees

of Swamiji were spread all over the City and therefore, some activities of the

Brotherhood could be arranged at other centers also. Sri M.R. Sanjeevi suggested that

addresses of all Swamiji's devotees spread all over India should be compiled. He also

suggested that the sayings of Swamiji should be displayed on the notice board daily. Sri

R. Parthasarathy, Retd. Asst. Editor of The Hindu said that it was a happy occasion.

Brotherhood promotes thinking and practicing Swamiji's precepts and is a sure way to

salvation. He suggested compilation and publication of the innumerable experiences of

Swamiji's devotees. It would serve as a record and also inspire the younger devotees who

had not seen Swamiji when he was in his physical frame. Our children and neighbors and

their families should all know about Swamiji and his teachings. He said that there was no

need for a formal organization since it was the spirit of Brotherhood which should be the

guiding factor. A few patrons might be selected to provide guidance to the Brotherhood.

After further discussion, Sri Parthasarathy's suggestions were accepted regarding the

organization and patrons. The following were unanimously selected as Chief Patron and

Patrons

.

Sri. R. Parthasarathy ... Chief Patron.

Patrons:

Sri C. V. Bhaskara Rao

Sri R. Seshadri

Sri Radhakrishnan, Hubli

Sri G. R. Inamdar, Mumbai

Sri M. Rangachar, Hyderabad

Air - Cmde. Raghavan summed up the proceedings and proposed a vote of thanks. He

assured the members that all suggestions would be considered by the Centre and a

suitable action plan would be formulated.

Earlier before the meeting, Sri. A. V. Raja Raman declared open an exhibition of rare

photographs of Swamiji in various moods, events, functions participated by Swamiji and

also the paintings and sketches by Swamiji on invitation cards received by him.

In the evening, there was a public meeting where speakers spoke on aspects of Swamiji's

uniqueness as a saint. Detailed report appears elsewhere in this issue.

SHIRDI SAI BABA SATSANG

Sri B.H. Chamaraj, Covener, Shirdi Sai Baba Satsang at Sri Radhakrishna Temple,

Kamaraj Road, Bangalore, informs us that they have celebrated Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji's 'Aradhana' on a grand scale. Recently they had a gift of a colour portrait of

Swamiji. Devotees performed 'Ashtottara' archanas to Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji

and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji from January 22 to January 24, 1998, culminating in the

Aradhana on January 25.

Since the morning of January 25, the 'Satsang' hall of Radhakrishna Temple was echoing

with Sai and Swamiji's namasmaran vibrating in the devotional atmosphere. The function

began at 3 PM with archanas to Sai and Swamijis and chanting of Vishnu Sahasra

Namam. Devotees from Madras, Guntakal, Hubli and video troupe led by Sri

Ravichandran participated in the function, apart from Sri Motilal Gupta, his wife from

Faridabad. Devotees offered their obeisance to the articles blessed and sanctified by our

Swamiji. Two rupee coins placed on small pictures of Baba were given to the devotees,

thus imparting our Swamiji's silent Upadesh that “Nishta” and “Saburi” are essential to

Sai-bhakti Sadhana.

As long as the book-learned man does not give up his mistaken identification with the

body, organs, etc., which are unreal, there is no talk of emancipation for him, even if he

be ever so erudite in the Vedanta Philosophy.

Just as thou does not identify thyself with the shadow body, the image-body, the dream

body, or the body thou hast In the imagination of thy heart, cease thou to do likewise the

living body also.

Shankaracharya

People are frightened when they are told that they are the Universal Being, everywhere

present. Through everything you work, through every foot you move, through every lip

talk, through every heart you feel.

People are frightened when they are told this. They will again and again ask you if they

are not going to keep their Individuality. What is individuality? I should like to see it. A

baby has no moustache; when he grows to be a man, perhaps he has a moustache and

beard. His individuality would be lost, if it were in the body...... Says a Sanskrit

philosopher: It is only the Spirit that is the individual, because it is infinite; no infinity

can be divided; infinity cannot be broken into pieces. It is the same one, undivided unit

for ever; and this is the Individual man, the Real Man.

- Jnana Yoga, Swami Vivekananda, Almora Edn. (1955),

SEETHA-RAMA AND PADMAVATI - SRINIVASA KALYANA

The Bhagavatha Shiromani Srinivasa Raghavacharya Bhajana Sabha recently conducted

Sri Seetha-Rama and Sri Padmavathi-Srinivasa Kalyana at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre on

February 7 and 8. Sri and Smt. Sambasiva Bhagavathar of Chennai and Sri S. Jayarama

Bhagavathar of Coimbatore and party conducted the Kalyana Mahothsava, assisted by Sri

Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar, Sri Vittal Srinivasa Bhagavathar and others from Bangalore.

A large gathering of devotees were present on both the days. Ashtapadi Bhajans and

Divyanama Sankeerthanam attracted the attention of all music lovers and the devotees

were thrilled by the divine atmosphere.

Before the conclusion, Sri R. Seshadri, President of our Centre, honored Sri Jayarama

Bhagavathar with Sesha Vasthra of Baba. Smt. Mahalakshmi Mohan, daughter of

Bhagavatha Shiromani Sri Srinivasa Raghavacharya, sponsored the above program, with

the assistance of Sri Aswathanarayana Swamiji.

- Syama Rao

BOOK REVIEW

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: Its Message for The Modern Man - by Swami Shantananda

Puri - Publishers: Karnataka Arya Vysya Mahasabha Charitable Trust, Bangalore -

Sponsored by Sakala Narasimhalu Chetty & Sons - Pp. 98, Price: Not mentioned. Srimad

Bhagavatam, one of the Maha Puranas, authored by Veda Vyasa, extols the exploits and

leelas' of Lord Krishna. Just by listening to these with total devotion and faith for seven

days. King Parikshrt attained “Mukti”.

Swami Shantananda Puri of Vasishta Guha, Tehri Garhwal, U.P., Himalayas, has not

recounted in this beautiful, handy book, the tales or the Philosophy of Srimad

Bhagavatam, but directly and instantly addresses the modern man, assailed by doubts and

fear and enticed by fleeting and transient pleasures, in a violent world of today. It is never

late even for such a confused man to correct himself in his day to day activities and get

Redemption, through 'Sadhana'.

The revered Swamiji, with his vast experience, erudition and yogic sadhana for long, has

dished out a spiritual treat to even ordinary mortals, in lucid, simple English. The types

are clean with beautiful printing, compelling reader's attention. The cover page design in

colour with the enchanting Balakrishna makes immediate appeal.

SRI VISHNU SAHASRANAMA : FROM PADMAPURNA AND MAHADEVA

PROKTA PP. 96 PRICE RS.20

These “Divyanamas” are different from the widely known and popular Sri Vishnu

Sahasranama from Mahabharata. These names, in Telugu script, describe Sri Maha

Vishnu's “gunas” and “leelas” in his different 'Avathars'. In the Phalasruti, it is stated that

it is Pavanakara and Nirvanadayaka.

To facilitate Parayana, the slokas have been given at the end of the book. The meanings

were published by the Gita Press, which have been rendered into Telugu by Sri K. Subba

Reddy.

SRI ANIL KESAVA RAO RASAL - A UNIQUE PERSONALITY

- By G. R. Inamdar

Sri Anil Kesava Rao Rasal, one of the intimate devotees of Sai Baba and Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji, was absorbed at the lotus feet the Master on December 29, 1997.

He passed away at 11a.m. in Mumbai, with a 'Japa Mala' in his hand and in full

'Namasmaran' of Baba. He was with Bombay Port Trust and aged 53 years.

Religiously inclined even from his early years, Anil Rasal became a

Sai devotee in the early sixties. Once in his meditation in 1977 at

Dwarakamai in Shirdi, he visualized a white-bearded venerable

person. He could not understand the significance nor was he aware

of that. When he prayed to Sai Baba, the answer came in the person

of a Sai brother holding in his hands a copy of 'Apostle of Love' on

the outer cover of which was a colour picture of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. Anil Rasal

recognized him as the one whom he had visualized in his meditation. He got full details

of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji from that Sai brother. The Guru had located his 'Shishya

even before the latter sought him: Anil Rasal was so impressed by the vision of Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji in his meditation that he developed an intense desire to have his

'darshan'. The opportunity came in January 1978, when Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji visited

Shirdi to preside over the annual gathering of contributors to Sat Leela magazine. At the

first sight itself, Swamiji blessed him and convinced Anil Rasal that he was his Guru. In

fact, Anil Rasal translated Swamiji's speech from English to Marati in that Annual

Gathering of Sai Leela writers and poets.

Rasal stayed in Wadala, Mumbai, and his wife and two daughters are also keen devotees

of Sai Baba and Swamiji. They had Swamiji's darshan a couple of times more before he

cast off his mortal coil in 1980. However, Anil Rasal used to recollect several instances

in which Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji was especially kind and gracious to him. He also

received several invaluable spiritual instructions from Swamiji.

When Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji attained 'Mahasamadhi' at Bangalore on January 14

1980, he appeared in his subtle form in the meditation of Anil Rasal at Mumbai and bade

him good-bye.

By virtue of his devotion to Sai Baba and Swamiji, personal and spiritual

accomplishments and ability to interpret the teachings of saints, Anil Rasal became a

spiritual guide and from 1989 onwards, he established a 'Satsang' in R.K, Vaidya Road,

Dadar, Mumbai, where he provided solace and support to a good number of seekers and

followers. He was popularly called 'Dada Rasal' by his followers.

He has published a number of articles in several Sai magazines and was a familiar figure

in any Sai devotee's convention or gathering in the last two decades. A simple and

unassuming man, he breathed Sai, talked Sai and was in every moment in constant

communion with Sai Baba.

Fragrant be Anil Rasal's memory: SRI K. G. SRINIVASAN, we record with profound

regret the passing away of Sri. K.G. Srinivasan (77 years), former President of Sri Sai

Samaj, Someswarapura, Bangalore, on January 17. Sri Srinivasan who leaves his wife,

two sons and two daughters, was serving the institution with devotion right from the

forties, when it was inaugurated by H.H. Sri Narasimha Swamiji. He had trained up

numerous children in Sai Bhajans and Thiruppavai', for several years. He had retired

from the HAL.

Particulars regarding the ownership of SAIPADANANDA, the quarterly, as per Rule 8 of

the Registration on Newspapers (Central) Rules, 1956.

1. Title of the Newspaper : SAIPADANANDA

2. Registration Number

3. Language/Languages in which it is published

4. Periodicity of Publication

5. Retail selling price

6. Name of the Printer

7. Publisher's Name

8. Nationality Address

9. Editor's Name Nationality Address

English & Kannada

Quarterly Rs. 3. Per copy

P. Sridhar

R. Seshadri

(For Sri Sai Spiritual Centre)

Indian 497, 8th Cross, 7th Block Jayanagar West, Bangalore - 560 082

R. Seshadri Indian

497, 8th Cross, 7th Block Jayanagar West,

Bangalore - 560 082 10-Permise where printing is

Conducted: Elegant Priming Works

No. 74, South End Road Basavanagudi, Bangalore - 560 004.

I hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and

belief.

R. SESHADRI

Publisher Date; 1.3.1998 (for Sri Sai Spiritual Centre)