the mind stuff...november/december 2020 sai sarathi (saisarathi.com) page 1 the mind stuff in his...

November/December2020 SaiSarathi(SaiSarathi.com) Page1

TheMindStuffInHisdiscourseduringHisbirthdaycelebrationsBhagavanBabaspokeabouthow

themindhastobewatchedvigilantlyandwarnedagainstitsowntricks.Keepthemindoccupiedwithnamasmarana[repeatingthenameoftheLord]

sothatitdoesnotplaygameswithyou.It isavain task todivide the thingsof theworld intogoodandbad,and it isalsosacrilegious!ForwhenallaretheproductsofHiswill,howcananythingbeextolledorcondemned?Besides,whatisgoodforonemaybebadforanother;whatisgoodatsometimemaybebadatanothertime;whatisgoodinsmallquantitiesmaybebadinlargequantities.Thecrowrelishesthebitterneemfruit;thecuckooeatsthetender leaves of the mango tree. People find joy and satisfaction in a variety ofthingsandexperiencesofthemostcontradictorycharacter.Therefore,onecanonlyinferthatitisthemindofeachthatdirectsonetoseekthisthingasgoodandavoidthatotherthingasbad.Philosophy tells us that the minddecidesnotmerely the goodness orbadness of a thing or experience, itcreates all things and allexperiences. Without the mind,there canbeno object or feeling oremotion. No mind, no matter! Themind revels in name and form; itimposes name and form, and thushelps in creating things andexperiences. It cannot contact oroperate upon anything withoutnameandform.Thatiswhythemindishelplesswhenmeditationhastobedoneonthe nameless and the formless. It clings ever to name-form.Mental pictures haveconcretizedthemselvesasobjectsandas ideas;sotheShrutis[scriptures]declare:"Yadbhavam,tadbhavati"("Asthethought,sotheconsequence").RealizationofGodinstillsdivineblissBut God is beyond name and form; He is all names and all forms, and yetincomprehensibleandmysterious.HowthencanGodbeapprehendedbymeansofdhyana (meditation) on name- form? This is a legitimate question. It can beansweredbymeansofasimile.Waterdrownsman;wateralsohelpshimtoswim.It


drawsinanditbuoysupboth.Only,manhastolearntheprocessbywhichhecankeep afloat. In the same way, name and form that appear to be limitations andhandicapscanserveas instrumentsandhelpstotranscendname-formandrealizeGod.TherealizationofGod instillsananda(divinebliss),whichhasno formbutonlyaman-madename.Itspringsandwellsupintheheartandpervadestheentirebodyandexpressesitselfintheface.Thefaceistheindexofinnerbliss.Sadness,anxiety,fear, hope, determination, doubt all are reflected on the face, and can be easilyspotted.Themindcanremainunaffectedby thestormsofemotiononlybybending to theyokeofbuddhi(intellect).Itshouldescapefromthegripsofthesenses,andyieldtothereinsofthereasoningfaculty,andobeyunquestioninglyitsdictates.ThesensesareinertsolongastheSelfkeepsthemawayfrominducingthemindtoaccepttheinformationsubmittedbythem.Thismikebeforemehelpsthosewhoaresittingallover this vast Auditorium to listen clearly to My words. But the mike and theloudspeakersareinertmetallicthings.Afewminutesago,theCollegestudentmadea speech thatwas interrupted for a fewminutes since the electric current failed.Withoutthatcurrentactivatingthem,theycannotworkatall.The eye that sees is inert; all objects 'seen' are inert; only the seer is 'intelligent.'AndthecurrentofintelligenceissuppliedbytheAtma,whichisyourReality.Whenthe current does not activate, the eyemight look on, but it does not see; the earmight be hearing, but, the hearer does not react or recognize. For the mind iselsewhere.IthastofunctionwiththehelpoftheDivineConsciousnesswithin.ThemindhastobewatchedvigilantlyThemindislikeafragrantflower;itemitsfragrancewhetheritisheldintherighthandorintheleft,whetherthepersonwhoholdsitisgoodorbad.Itwalksblindlyalong,irrespectiveofthelieoftheland.Itisblind,andsosomeonehastotakeitontow.Whenyouinvitetenblindpeoplefordinner,youhavetolaytwentyplates.Foreachblindpersonbringswithhim[andhastodoso]aguidewhocanleadhimtoyourhome.Sothemind,too,musthaveaguidewhoknowstheway,theobstacles,theshoals,andferries.Themind has to bewatched vigilantly andwarned against its own tricks. It is acleveractor,embroilingyouinmanyacloseadventure.Themindislikethereveredold gentlemanwho appeared alternately in the houses of the bridegroom's partyandthebride'spartyduringamarriagefestivalandissuedorderstoallandsundry,which were honored by both, since each party thought he was a person withauthoritycomingfromtheotherparty!Beforelonghisverypomposityarousedthesuspicionsofboth,andwhentheyjointlysoughthimandaskedhimwhohewas,hetooktohisheelsandmadehimselfscarce.Themind,too,isjustlikethegentleman.Catch it and inquirewherefrom it secured credentials to order you about; it willdisappearinnotime!


Letyourmindrepeat'Soham'allthetimeThe onlymethod that you can adopt to escape from the coils of themind is thecultivation of pure intelligence. This is the sum and substance of all spiritualdiscipline.And the intelligencegetscleansedofallpartialityandprejudice,hatredandgreed,onlyby theadorationofGod through lovepouredout toall thebeingscreatedbyGodand standingwitness toHisgloryandbeauty. Share lovewithall;earnthetreasureoflove,storeitinyourheartandinvitealltoshareinit.Whenyoutry to distribute the property earned by your grandfather or father, legal, moral,economic, and practical obstacles will stand up before you. But when you aredistributingyour'self-earned'property,nothinglegalorotherwisecanstandintheway.Remember the mind is a very talkative imp, it can never keep quiet even for asecond.YouhavebeenlisteningtoMesincemorethananhourandperhapsyouareundertheimpressionthatyourmindhasbeenquietallthattime.No.Themindhasbeen holding conversation with itself when it is supposed to be silent! Give itperpetual tasks.Ask it(assomerishididtoademonwhoactedashisservantbutthreatenedtodevourhimthemomenthedidnothaveanytaskallottedtohim)toclimbapillarandslidedownitwheneverithasnootherwork.ThepillarisSoham,(IamThat),amantra(sacred formulae) that thebreath isrepeating frombirth todeath, ‘So'whenyouinhaleand 'ham'whenyouexhale.LetitrepeatSohamallthetime.Bhajans(congregationaldevotionalsinging)havetobesungandofferedtoGod inanattitudeofutterhumility.Theyarenottobetakenasexercisesinanexhibitionoftalentsandascompetitionsformasteryofmusicalskill.TheyhavetopleasetheLord,notyourfans.Witheachbhajan(song),themindmustberenderedpurer, freerfrompassion,andstrongerinfaith.Butyoufindthatyoudonot succeed in this task.Theadorationdoesnot arise from theheart;nor is itaddressedtotheSupremebythesincereSelf.Itistaintedbytheadmixtureofenvy,pride,andhate.HowcanprayerssofouledreachGod?DevoteesshouldnotdevelopattitudesofdifferenceForexample,Ifindthatwhenanynewdevoteesings,othersleavehimaloneanddonotsing linesafterhim!Theyignorehimandinsulthiminthismanner.Butwhenone of them, one of the usual group, leadswith a song, they join enthusiastically.ThiskindofgrouppoliticshasnoplaceamongSaidevoteesandcannotbetoleratedinSaibhajangroups.Ifindthiseviltraitspreadinginmostbhajanmandalis[bhajangroups]—membersdivided intorivalgroupscompeting forchancestosing, tryingtoattracttheattentionandappreciationofthepeople.Urgedbythisselfishmotive,theydiscourage thesincerebhajansingers.Theykeepmumwhen theyoffer theirsongs; thismeans either that they have lost their voice or that their hearts havebeensodeadenedbyselfishness.


Attitudesofdifferenceanddistinctionshouldnotentertheheartsofdevoteessofarasthissacredsadhana(spiritualdiscipline)isconcerned.Norcanthesongofsuchpeoplebepleasanttotheear;foritisonlywhenthefeelingarisesintheheartthatthesongwillappealtotheheartsofothers. Itwouldbefarbetter forallparties ifsuch self-important and conceited folk stay away frombhajan rather thanpollutethesacredatmospherebythespiritofrivalryandfactionalism.AllaresonsanddaughtersofSaiMataWhendevotees taking thenameofSathyaSaibehave in suchamanner, that is tosay,people towhomtheworld is looking forguidanceand inspiration,whentheydescend to such levels, what is to happen to the uplift of the world and therestorationofdharma(righteousness)?Bhajanswhere you quarrel and compete and revel in putting down others andraisingyourselvesmightgiveyousatisfaction,butletMeannouncehere:theydonotpleaseMe at all. I ampleased onlywhen love is the keynote,when the feeling ofunityprevails,whenthemelodycomesfromacleansedGod-lovingheart.Theoffice-bearersintheUnitsofourOrganizationshouldbeevervigilantthatthispoison does not creep into the working of the Units, either in bhajans or in theactivitiesoftheMahilaVibhagorSevadal[ladieswingortheservicewing].Remember, all are the sons and daughters of Sai Mata (Mother SAI). How can Itolerate when the sons and daughters quarrel among themselves and dividethemselvesintorivalgroups?Unlessyousingbhajansforyourownjoy,youcannotbringjoytoothers.TheSathyaSaiOrganizationhasbeenestablishedtoprovidesacredtasksforeverymomentofwakefullifetomakepeopleconsciousofthevagariesandvanitiesofthemind,andteachthemtheprocessesofdisintegratingthemindandestablishingthereignofthepureintellect,bywhichalonetheOnebehindallthismultiplicitycanberealizedastheonlyReality.

Source:SathyaSaiSpeaksVol.12Certainlyeveryhumanbeingmustbeeducatedirrespectiveofrace,religion,caste,color,orcreed.Butlikethefoolishmotherwhoishappywhenherchild'slimbswellswithdisease,believingthatitisgettingstronger,we,too,mistakethisincreaseinsizeandnumberasahealthydevelopment!Inreality,weareonlywitnessingadiseasethatresultsindebility,greed,hatred,andenvy.Theflowersinnaturealwaysfade,droopdown,losefragrance,andalsodevelopanodorthatisnotpleasant.Insteadofworshipingwithsuchworldlyflowers,whichareimpermanent,andreceivingimpermanentrewardsfromGod,weshouldworshipHimwithwhatistruthfulandtherebyattainastagethatishigher.

SriSathyaSai


RealizeGodThroughPureLove

AlltheobjectsinthisvisibleuniverseareExtremelybeautiful,attractive,andpleasing.TheDivineisimmanentintheentirecosmos.Thecosmosisfilledwithlove.TheSupremeSelfistheembodimentoflove;Henceifloveencounterslovetheymerge;HenceifyoudevelopyourloveYoubecomeeligibletoachieveOnenesswiththeDivine.

Love exists for love and nothing else. It is spontaneous and imparts delight.Everythingispermeatedbylove.Loveseeswiththeheartandnottheeyes.Itlistensnotthroughtheearsbutbythetranquilityoftheheart.Itspeaksnotwiththetonguebut out of compassion. Compassion, kindness, and love are separate words thatmeanthesamething.Lovehasmanysynonyms.Lovecanemanateonlyfromtheheartandnotanyothersource.Loveisimmortal,nectarine, blissful, and infinite. A heart filledwith love is boundless Just as riverswithdifferentnamesandformsmergeintheoceanandbecomeonewithit,loveinmanyformsenterstheoceanoftheheartandgetsidentifiedwithit.TruelovehasnobeginningorendLovecanconqueranything.Selfless,pure,unalloyedloveleadsmantoGod.Selfishand constricted lovebinds one to theworld.Unable to comprehend thepure andsacred love,man today is a prey to endlessworries because of his attachment toworldly objects. Man's primary duty is to understand the truth about the loveprinciple.Onceheunderstandsthenatureoflove,hewillnotgoastray.Thevariouscontextsinwhichthewordloveisusedtodayhavenorelationtothetruemeaningoflove.Theaffectionbetweenamotherandchildorbetweenahusbandandwifeisincidental toacertain temporaryrelationshipand isnotreal loveatall.True lovehasneitherabeginningnoranend.Itexistsinallthethreecategoriesoftime—past,present,andfuture.Thataloneistruelovethatcanfillmanwithenduringbliss.One'sthoughts,one'swords,andlooksshouldbefilledwithlove.Thisisdivinelove.Onewhoissaturatedwiththislovecanneverbesubjecttosuffering.Mentodayareaffectedbypraiseorblame.Butonewhoisfilledwithdivinelovetranscendspraiseorcensure.Heisunaffectedbycriticismorflattery.Hetreatsalikejoyandsorrow,profitandloss,victoryanddefeat.Itisnoteasytoexperiencesuchlove.ItiseasytoblameGodbutdifficulttorealizeGod.Mentodayprefertheeasypathtotheroughone.Theyshouldrealizethattherecanbenopleasurewithoutpain.


ThemissionofJesusIt was to teachmankind the greatness of divine love that Jesus came. His fatherpassedawaywhenJesuswastenyearsold.Thereafter,withthepermissionofHismother,HeembarkedonHisministryofservicetothepeople.Heresolvedonthreetasks: one, to be filledwith divine love and to share itwith otherswas themainpurposeofHislife;two,HeshouldnotsuccumbtopraiseorcensureincarryingoutHis mission; three, to inspire in others the conviction that the divinity within isomnipresent.JesusconsideredspreadingthegospelofloveasHisforemosttask.HeencounteredmanyordealsincarryingoutHismission,butHeregardedthemallaschallengestobeovercome.Hewasdeterminedtotreatpleasureandpain,sicknessandfailurewithequanimity.Hecouldnotbeartoseeanyonesuffer.Hewasopposedtothetrafficinbird[sales]goingoninthetempleinJerusalem.TheaffectedpersonsturnedagainstHim.ButJesuscarriedonregardlessoftheirhostility.IntheendHesacrificedHislifeforthesakeofothersandoutofHisloveforall.Every human being is potentially amessengerofGod.But todaymenhavebecome messengers of the Lord ofdeath. They are traitors to their truehumanstate.Humannessdemandsthateveryone should manifest the divinitywithin him. Everyone should be a realmessenger of God and strive topromote-peace and security in theworld. There is no other path to befollowed. God's message is sacred andtotallyfreefromself-interest.WhenChristwasborn,threekingscameto see the infant.Oneof themdeclaredthat the childwould be a lover of God.The second one said that Hewould bethe beloved of God. The third onedeclared that He was God. A lover ofGod is a messenger of God. The onewhomGodlovesisa"SonofGod."Whenoneexperiencesbothofthese,hebecomesonewithGod--"FatherandSonareone."Therefore,attheoutsetyoumustprepareyourselvestobemessengersofGod.ThismeansthatyoushouldliveuptothemessageofGod.Themessagecallsforservicetoall.Compassion,morality,andintegrityareessentialelementsinthemessage.Inpropagating this message, faith in God should be promoted. Love should be thewatchword.Theabsenceoflovegivesrisetohatred.Todaythereisnounityamongthe people.Without unity how can there be bliss?Without bliss how can anyoneexperienceGod?


Menshouldleadselflesslives.Thismayseemdifficult.Butinrealitythereisnothingeasier.Itisselfishnessthatcreatesallkindsofdifficultiesformankind.Selflesslovewillgivenoroomforanyevil.Unselfishlovemaymeetwithoppositionfromone'skith and kin and fromworldly persons. But one should not be deterred by suchopposition.Loveshouldbecherishedasone'slifebreath.TheelementsandtheDivineItisessentialtohavefaithinGod.ThefiveelementsaremanifestationsofGod.Theyare earth,water, fire, air, and ether (or space). In earthGod exists in the formofprajna (awareness). In fire God is in the formof jagrata-swaroopa (wakefulness).TheVedicwarning is, "Be awake". In airGodexists as theprana (vital breath). Inether(orspace)Godpervadesitastheprimalsound,Omkara.EveryelementthusproclaimsthemanifestationofoneaspectofGod.AllbeingsexperiencethepresenceoftheDivinethroughthefiveelements,thefivesenses, and the five life breaths. Somemay ask, "When theDivine is omnipresentand is inallbeings,why isHenotvisible tous?" If investigation ismadeon rightlines,Godcanbeperceived.Somehumaneffort isessential toget thisperception.Just as the reflectionof the sun canbe seen in all itspurityonly in clear and stillwater, though reflectionsmaybenoticed in ponds,wells, and oceans, God canbeperceivedonlywhen theheart ispureandunselfish.HowcanGodbeexpected toappearbeforeapersonwhosemindiswaveringandwhoseoutlookisself-centered?Thewaveringmindwill experienceonly ahazy figure. In a steadymind,Godwillpresentaclearimage.Mindisthecauseofman'sbondageThemind,accordingtothescriptures, is thecauseofman'sbondageor liberation.Themindhasthreequalities:tamas,rajas,andsatwa.Thetamasicqualitymakesthemindignorethetruth,pursuethefalseandimpelsmantoindulgeinwhatisunholyandimproper.Itisnecessarytocorrectthistendencyofthetamoguna.Therajogunaisresponsibleforapersonlivinginakindofdream-stateandtreatingitasreal.Thesatwicqualitymakesapersonseegoodeveninabadpersonorobject.ThesatwicpersonseesGodinthewholecosmosandfostersthegodlyapproachtocreation.Today people all over theworld are racked by fears of various sorts. There is nopeaceanywhere.Butpeople shouldnotgiveway todespair.They should face thesituationwithcourage,withoutbotheringabouttheresults.Make love thebasis forallyouractions.TheGopikasprayedtoKrishnatoplayonthe fluteand fill theirbarrenheartswith loveso that lovemaygrowandripen intheirhearts.TheloveofGodshouldbefreefromanydesireforfavors.Godjudgesthedevotee'slovebytheintensityofthefeelingandnotbythenumberofwaysinwhichworshipisoffered.Love of God does notmean giving up your normal duties. In the performance ofthese duties, every action should be done as an offering to God—Bhagavata


preetyartham(forthesakeofpleasingGod).LookuponthebodyasamovingtemplewhereinGod'resides.RecognizethatGodisalwayswithyouandaroundyou.MessengersofSathyaSaiTheMessengersof SathyaSai aredoingexcellentwork.Theyarehelping tobuilddwellings for thepoor in thevillages.Theyalsoarrange for themarriagesofpoorvillagers, raising the money from among themselves. Many old students of theWomen'sCollege(atAnantapur)arelivinginoverseascountrieslikeGermany,U.S.A,Australia,andJapan.ItisanindexoftheirdevotiontoSwamithattheyhavecomefrom these distant places for this annual meeting of the “Messengers" at greatexpense. I asked the president of the association why the members are wastingmoneyinthisway.Whyshouldtheynotuseitforhelpingsomepoorpeopleintheirplaces?Everytripcostsaboutalakhofrupeesperperson.Herreplywas,"Swami!We are not concerned about the expense.We come to Swami to get our spiritualbatteriesrechargedsothatwemayrenderbetterservice.Moneycomesinonewayoranother.Butwehavetodevelopourspiritofsacrifice.Itisforthisreasonthatwearecominghere.Eventhemoneyweearnisnotreallyours.Wearemerelyagents.Weareakindoftrusteesforourincomes."Thisattitudehastobeappreciated.PeopleshouldregardallwealthascomingfromGodtobeusedforsacredpurposes.Noonebringsanythingwithhimatbirthandcarriesanythingwithhimatdeath.Allrelationshipsinbetweenaretransient.Treatallalike.Evenbadpeoplewillbetransformedifyoutreatthemwithlove.ShowlovetothosewhodislikeyouSt. Paulwas an example of onewho originally hated Christ but later becameHisforemost apostle.Whenyou show love toward all, even to thosewhodislike you,Godwillloveyou.Thenyoubecomea"SonofGod."YouearntherighttoinherittheKingdomofGod.YoucanbecomeonewithGod.AmongtheMessengersofSathyaSai,consistingofmenandwomen,itisthewomenwho are carrying on more service activities. This is all the more commendablebecauseof thehandicaps they laborunderashousewiveswith in-lawsandotherswhodominateoverthem.Nevertheless,theyarepersuadingtheirhusbandstocometoSwami.ThisistruesevabecausetheyareconvertingskepticstobelieveinGod.Theoldmalestudentshavemorefreedombutarenotequallyzealousinrenderingservice.Theyshouldrealizethetruemeaningoffreedom,namely,carryingoutthedictatesofthespirit.Asanationwehaveachievedfreedom,butwehavenotachievedunity.Unitycanbeachievedonlythroughlove.ThiswasthemessageofJesus.Makeyourselvesworthyofbeingcalled'SaiDevotees'Students!Whenyouareobserving today thebirthdayofaDivinepersonality,youhave also to follow His teachings. You have to remember what constitutes the


greatness of the person whose birthday you celebrate. We celebrate Sri Rama'sbirthday,buthowmanyrespectthewordsofthefatherasRamadid?HowfarareyoupreparedtosacrificepositionandpowerasRamadid?Peopleinsistonrightstowhich they have no claim. How can they call themselves devotees of Rama? YoushouldfollowtheidealsofRama.What ismeant by calling yourselves devotees of Sai? You have to foster love anddevelopunity.Youmustconsideryourselvesasmembersofonefamily,thechildrenof one God. Only then you are entitled to call yourselves Sai devotees.Whateverothersmay say, do not bear any ill-will toward them.Welcome everything as foryourgood.ThemoreyouserveGod,themoretheblissyouwillexperience.Hence,fillyourlifewithlove,growinloveandendyourlifeinlove.

Source:SathyaSaiSpeaks,Vol.28

ReflectionsfromAGardenChair

Seatedinthegardeninthesummermonths,acherishedtime,Onachairstrongandsturdy,madeofsteelandsedatelywhite,Afterashortwalkoftenandfiveminutes,awelcomerespite,Everymornandevewhenthesun’sraysseemmorefriendly,Ienjoymysolitudespentwithnaturewithitsgreenabundance,AtimethatisalignedwiththeblessingsIreceivedfromLordSai.

Atthesetimesofcommunionwithnature,mymindisstilled,

Themindthatisinconstantchatter,flittingfromonetothenext,Takesapauseandletsthesilenceofjoytoenteritsowndomain,WhatalessontaughtbySai!Inthedeepsilencethedivineenters,Fillsonewithpeacethatisbeyondhumanperceptionandreach,Assucharethesepreciousmomentsinmygardenchaireveryday.

Seatedonthiswhitechairmadeofsteelandstrength,indeepsilence,InthefrontgardenwhichbearssomanylovelytreesandfloralbushesThatwehadplantedsolovinglywithsomuchcareandawarmtouch,Thatwhichbringsthenostalgicmemoriesofmydearerstwhilepartner,Whoselovinglaborentwinedwithmine,too,wovethisgarden’smagic,Iletthesememoriespassundisturbed,leavingmewithpreciouspeace.

Iwatchasthelittleseedburiedinthegroundsproutinginitsbirth,

Agiftfrommotherearthtoall,apromiseofastrongfuturefloralbush,Iwatchtheflowersalreadyinbloomdisplayingtheirbeautyinallhues,


Didn’tSaiteachusthedivinesourcethatcreatedallthewonderfulglory?Iwatchthetoweringtrees,maples,doublecherrieswithitsgreenery,Alldisplayingenchantingcolors,allthese,thecreator’sdivinecharm.

Iwatchasthebirdsflyfrombranchtobranch,finallyfindingthefeeder,Whereinthebirdseedsenticethemforaflittingfeedtosufficetheirneed,Iheartheirtwitteringsoundsofsongsfromalldirectionsfarfarabove,Somemelodiousreachinglovedones,somequerulouswithacomplaint,Iwatchthesquirrelswithastealthylookhoppingbeneaththebushes,Astheylookfortheseedsfallenonthegrass,contentedtheyrunoff.

Iwatchasthepassers-bywalkontheroadfacingme,mask-covered,Sometimeswiththeirfamily,sometimesalonejoggingforaphysical,Attimeswalkingadogortwoonaleash,wavingmeastheypassby,Mostlyfromtheneighboringresidence,drawingmyattentiontothem,Iseeinthem,asourBelovedSaitaught,thatspark,thatdivinespark.Isn’titawonderthatthoseunderSaicharmlearnthisbasicdivinelaw?

Attimesmychildfromtheneighboringhouse,grownupwithherfamily,Joinsmeforamaternaltimeasanoffspring,adelightfultimeamidstall,Yes,amidstallmysolitaryreverie,awelcomeinterludewarmlyoffered,Makeslifericher,moreblessedwithsuchdivinegifts,morevariedjoy,Seatedinmywhitegardenchair,strongandsturdy,timeticksonandon,AsIriseupfromthechair,calmandcontented,towendmywayback.

~KanagaRanganathan,July16,2020.

ABlessinginDisguise

Between1988and2011,Prof.U.S.RaowastheDeanoftheFacultyofBusinessManagementandwasalsotheDirectoratthePrasanthiNilayamCampus,

SriSathyaSaiInstituteofHigherLearning.

Hislovehasnolimit,Hisgracenomeasure,Hispowernoboundaryknownuntomen,ForoutofHisinfiniterichesinSai,Hegivethandgivethandgivethagain.

ThemostimportantdecisionItookinmylifewasin1987,whenIdecidedtocometoPrasanthiNilayamandjointheInstituteofHigherLearning.LittledidIknowatthattimethatinabouttwoyears'time,Iandmywifewouldbeinvolvedinaserious


accident onMarch 26, 1989 (Sunday), thatwould have left our children orphans.Bhagavan'scompassionalonemusthavebroughtustoHimatthemostcrucialtimeinour life. It ismyexperience that in thepresenceofBhagavanonegains infinitetreasures,andevengetsanewleaseoflife.LifebecomesmorepeacefulandhappieronceweturntowardHim.

Bhagavan is an ocean of compassion. He knows our past, present, and future. Heshowered a lot of grace and attention onme.Knowing, inHis omnipresence, that[my]deathwasfastapproaching,HegavemeafewhintsasHewantedtoalertme.In1988, duringdarshan [sight of aholyman]Bhagavanaskedmeonce, “Are youready?"ThoughIwaspuzzledIreplied,"YesSwami."Hethenasked,"Forwhat?"AsIdidnotknowIreplied,“Idon'tknow."Bhagavansmiledandsaid"Yes.Youshouldbereadyforeverythinginlife."Then in September 1988, when Bhagavan was in Brindavan, a few of us (staffmembers) went to see Him on a Sunday. That evening Bhagavan paid a lot ofattentiontous,andsaidtoothers,"MystafffromParthihavecometoseeMe."HemadeussitaroundHimintheinterviewroomandspentanhourormoresharingwith us several surrender stories, such as saving Draupadi in the Kaurava court,GajendraMoksham [theprayerof theelephantGajendra toVishnu forprotection],and other instances of salvation. He indicated the importance of total surrender.ImmediatelyafterthatHesaid,"Gobackquicklybefore it isdark,hurrynow!"WerushedtocollectallthemembersofthepartyandwentoffinavanbacktoParthi,blissfullyunawareofwhatBhagavanforesawinthefutureforus.


Bhagavan appeared in adream tomywifemanymonthsprior to the accident. Inthatdream,BhagavanhadtwopatcheswithnohaironHishead,whichHeshowedher.Shesaid,"Whyworry,Swami,youhavesomuchhair.Itcanbeeasilycovered."Surprisingly after the accident,mywife had exactly the same twopatches on herheadbecauseof twoskingraftingoperations.Probably thedreamalsomeant thatHehadtakentheimpactandsufferingonHimself,sothatshecouldwithstandandsurvivethatfatalaccident.BhagavaninHisinfinitecompassiondecidedtosaveus,asisevidentbytheeventsthat happened in February 1989. On the 8th of February, Bhagavan gave awonderful bright yellow silk saree to my wife (symbolizing auspiciousness) andcalledus for an interviewon the9th of February⎯our20thmarriage anniversaryday.Intheinterview,Heprofuselyblesseduswithlonghappylife,andtomywifeHesaid,“DeerghaSumangaliBhava",meaning‘mayyourhusbandliveverylong.’DuringMarch1989,thecircumstancessodevelopedthatIhadtogotoBrindavantoseek Bhagavan’s guidance and approval on official matters concerning thedepartment.AsBhagavanwasatBrindavan,mywifealsojoinedmeonthistriponthe26thofMarch,1989,whentheseriousaccidenttookplace.Onthe25thnight,oneofmycolleagues,whilemeditating,heardamessagethathewillbeseeingusforthelasttime.HecametoustohandoveralettertoBhagavanbutdidnotsayanything,notwantingtoupsetuswhenwewereplanningtoleaveforBrindavan.Onthesamenight,anothercolleaguewhowastocomewithushadverybaddreamswhereinhewasinthemidstofskulls,skeletons,andblood.Hesawhimselfcarryingdeadbodies.Hiswife,onhearingaboutthedream, insistedonaccompanyinghim.Astherewasnoplaceinourvan,theygotintothenextvan,followingours.Exactlyashedreamt,hisvanreachedtheaccidentsitewithinafewminutesoftheaccident,andheplayedamajorrole incarrying the injuredpersons to thehospital in theirvan.ItwasasifBhagavanhadordainedhimtofollowusinthenextvanandsaveusonHisbehalf.On 26th of March, 1989, early in the morning, we and our friends started fromPrasanthi Nilayam to Brindavan in a Matador van [a minivan]. Having crossedBagepalli, wewere on theway to Chikballapur. The vanwas going very fast, thebreezewascool,andallofusjustdozedalittle.Assoonasmywifeclosedhereyes,sheclearlysawBhagavan’sfaceandwasthrilledbythevision.Thishappenedthrice.Shewasjustreadytosharethejoywhentherewasaloudthud.Thevancatapultedthreetimesandlandedonthegroundwithitswheelsup.Alorryhadhitthesideofthevanbehindthedriver’scabin.Theimpactwassoseverethatthebackdoorofthevan openedwith a jerk and threwout someof our colleagues onto the road. Thedriverlostbalanceandjumpedoutofthevehicleinpanic.


Ireceivedsevereinjuriesonmyheadandjawandhadablackeye.LaterIwastoldthatafewribshadalsobroken.OutofshockIhadamnesia,andIstartedspeakingdisjointedly.Mywifesufferedsevereheadinjuryandtheskinonherheadwastornbadly.Shehadtohave120stitchesonherheadatWhitefieldHospital.Shebithertongueandwasgulpinglargequantitiesofblood.Bloodwasalsooozingfromherheadinastream,andallherclotheswerewetwithblood.ButthroughBhagavan’sgrace,andHisappearingjustbeforetheaccident,shewasverycalmandserene.Thinkingherendwasnear,sheprayedtoBhagavantotakecareofmeandchildren.Shedidnotexperienceanypainwhatsoevereitheratthattimeorlaterduringthenextoneandahalfmonths,undergoingoperationsandrecoveringfromaccidentinjuries.Ourcolleaguewhocameinthevanbehindourvanwasoursavior.AsordainedbyBhagavan,hereachedthesiteofaccidentwithinminutesandquicklytookchargeofthesituation.Hestartedorganizingallthenecessaryarrangementsfortransportingus to the nearest first aid hospital at Chikballapur. Bhagavan was immediatelyinformedandHe, like a sweetmother, got timelymedical assistance inBangaloreHospitals and in our own Hospital at Whitefield and personally supervised allarrangements.WithinminutesofthearrivaloftheinjuredpassengersinthevehicleatWhitefieldhospital,Bhagavancametothehospitalandconsoledeveryone,createdandpouredvibhuti[holyash]onthem.Hepersonallypouredcoldwaterandcoffeeinmywife’smouth.Hesoothedherbysaying,"lwill takecareofeverything, just liedownandrelax.IwillsendforacarnowandbringRaotoWhitefield."Hisconcern,love,andcompassionatthatmomentarejustunforgettable.Mywifelatertoldmethatatthatmoment she felt it was worth going through many more accidents if one couldexperiencesomuchofBhagavan’slove.On hearing about the accident, our University’s Vice-Chancellor and RegistrarrushedfromPrasanthiNilayamtoBrindavan.BhagavanstraightawaytookthemtothehospitalinBangaloretoseemeandtheotherseriouslyinjuredpatients.Duetoamnesia, Idon’trememberanyof the incidents inthehospitalatBangalore. IwastoldthatBhagavanpouredoutsomuchlove,caressedmyinjuredribs,andcreatedvibhutiandput it inmymouth.Hementionedtomebymybedside, "SeeRao, theVice-ChancellorandRegistrarhavecomefromPrasanthiNilayamtomeetyou."Atthat time, I opened my eyes without knowing what was happening. He rubbedvibhutionmyarm.IhadafaintglimpseofthecaringLordstandingbymybedsidewithalovingfaceandcompassionateeyes.On the 28th of March 1989, I was brought to Whitefield hospital. To my wife'sdismay,Ijustcouldnotremembermanythings.Ididrecognizeher,butwouldgoonrepeating"WhereisWhitefield?WhatdoesBrindavanlooklike?Whichdayisthis?"and so on. Bhagavan visited us on the 30th ofMarch (Thursday), and spent some


exclusive 20minutes sitting on a small steel chairwith only both of us on eitherside,tellingusthedetailsoftheaccident.Unfortunately, those blissfulmoments are very hazy inmymemory as Iwas stillexperiencingamnesia.Bhagavan felt that I shouldgo in for further tests.Mrs.Raoprayed,"Swami,nothingbutYourgracematters,andwedon’twantanytestsdone.Yourwordthatallwillbewellisitselfthecure."Aftersomepersuasion,Bhagavanfinallysaid,"OKIamtellingyou,absolutelynothingwillbewrongwithhim.Hewillbeperfectlyallright."Toaddtoourjoy,HecancelledmyvisittoBangalorehospitalforfurthertests.OnHisnextvisitHecamesilentlyintotheroom,takingusbysurprise,andpouredcoconutwaterintomymouthwithsomuchlove.Itwouldnotbeanexaggerationtosaythatwewereblissfullyhappyduringthosedays,soakinginBhagavan’sloveandcaresomuchsothatwedidnotinformourownparents,brothers,andsistersabouttheaccident.TheDivinemother’slove,care,andaffectionfarexceededtheloveandaffection we experienced from our own parents during all our life. To try andexpressthetotalityanddepthofdivinelovewillbefutile,butIwillstillciteafewexamplestoillustratethesame.Almost every day, Bhagavan would send a big bag containing fruits, biscuits,electrolytepowder,andotherhealingstapleswithdetailedinstructionsforus.Sinceour trip toBrindavanwasplanned for a day or two,wedidnot have any clotheswithus,soBhagavansentatailortotakemymeasurementsinthehospitalandbythesameafternoonHesentmanypairsofclothing.AnotherdayBhagavanHimselfbroughtaplasticbagcontainingsoaps, toothpaste,toothbrushes,andahugetowel.Totopitall,Bhagavansaid,"RaolookwhatIhavebrought foryou."SayingsoHe tookoutapairof sunglassesandsaid, “Foryou towearwhenyoucomefordarshan."Hefeltthat,withmyblack,swollen,bulgingeye,Imightnotliketobeseenoutsideandthesunglasseswouldhelpme.He personally sent messages to the Principals of both Anantapur College and thePrimarySchool atPrasanthiNilayamandasked them to informmydaughterswhowerestudyingtherethatwewereallrightandthatweareunderHiscareandthattheyshouldnotbeworried,andtostudyfortheirexaminationswell.HearrangedforthemtobebroughtbycarontheafternoonoftheirlastexaminationandmadethemstayinBrindavantilltheirgrandparentscameandtookcharge.TheentireexpensesofthetreatmentwerecompletelybornebyBhagavan.WedidnotspendevenasinglerupeeunderHiscare.WewereliterallybeingcarriedawayinthefloodofHisloveandwespenteverydayinsomuchjoy,thatitwasreallyablessingindisguise.Mywife'swordsstillkeepringinginmyears,"IfwecanreceivesuchloveandconcernfromSwami,wecangothroughmanymoresuchaccidents."Yes,itisverytrue.

Source:SaiVandana1990(65thBirthdayOffering)


PurushaandPrakritiBhakta: SofarYouhavetoldsomeimportantthings,(1) the external world (2) the internal world (3)Bhagavan,theLord.Arethesethenseparateentities, likecause and effect? Or are they connected one with theother?Swami: Think about it yourself! For this I have

alreadysentthereplyin‘PremaVahini’.Itmusthavereachedyoutodayitself.Lookinto that. Look closely at what is said there of the relationship between ‘he thatserves’,‘hethatisserved’,and‘thewherewithalofservice.’Bhakta: Swami, You said also Ksharam [one that is perishable], Aksharam[imperishable one],Nithyam [constant/permanent],Anithyam [impermanent]. Arethereanyothernames,too?Swami: ThesetwoareknownasPurusha[self/consciousness]also.Theyaresaid to be chetana [consciousness], and achetana [without awareness]. They arereferredtoasjiva[livingbeing]andjada[inert]also.Theksharaaksharapurushasarenamedinanothercontextaspara[spiritual]andapara-prakritis[lowerworld].Ifyoucontemplatewithaclearintelligenceyouwillfindthatonlynameschange,thethingdoesnotchange.Bhakta: Then,Swami, justasksharaakshara haveas synonymPurushas, hasBhagavanta,theLord,anysuchsynonym?Swami: Why, Bhagavan is well-known by the very appropriate name,Purushotama,sinceHeistheHighestofthePurushas.Bhakta: Oh!Howsweet!Whatasweetname!DidthePurushasoriginatefromthePurushotama?Swami: Here comes the big problem. Once before also you asked, did itoriginate? We must use correct words. Otherwise we get wrong meanings. Weshouldnotsay,‘originating’fromPurushotama.InHimtheyshine.ItoldyoubeforethatthesePurushasare indicatedbythewords,para-aparaprakriti, jiva-jada.Thiswordprakritigivesthesenseofswabhava[intrinsicnature]andshakti[power],isn’tit?Bhakta: Itdoes.IunderstandPurushotamaisone,HisPrakritiisthesecond.Swami: No.Youaremistaken.Thinkagain.Isthereanydifferencebetweenathing and its nature? Is it possible to separate and see the nature apart from thething?Still,yousaid‘two’.


Bhakta: It’samistake,Swami.Itiswrong.Noonecanseparatethem.Thetwoareone.Swami: Incurrentspeechwesay:sugarissweet,theSungiveslight,itishotetc.Sweetness is insugar, light is in theSun.Theyarenotseparate; theyareone.Sweetness cannot be knownunless sugar is placedon the tongue;without seeingthe Sun, light andheat cannotbeknown.Thus,Bhagavan has two characteristics.Whenwe speakof themas two, they are referred to asPurusha andPrakriti, butthey are really one.Prakriti in theBhagavan (this iswhat is known by the nameMahamaya) is unmanifested and inseparable, like sweetness in sugar.Avinabhavasambandham means just this relationship. By mere willing, thismaya envelopesBhagavanandmanifestsintheformofCosmosorBrahmanda.ThisiswhatiscalledSamashti-Viswarupa,orAbsolute-Full-World-Form.ItisthisAbsolutethatexpressesitself as Jagat [world], through the power of avidya [ignorance] according to theDivineWill.Bhakta: What is this, Swami? Itwas all so clear so far, but thiswordavidyanewly used has upset my train of thought! I didn’t understand anything. Pleaseexplain.Swami: Don’tbeinahurry!Haveyouheardtheword,vidya[knowledge]?Doyouknowitsmeaning?Bhakta: Certainly.vidyameansstudy!Swami: Vidyameansknowledge,jnana.When‘A’isadded,itbecomesajnana,ignorance.Thoughone,ignorancetakesmultifariousforms.Bhakta: Yes,Swami.Howdidthisavidyacomeabout?Wherediditcomefrom?Swami: Youknow,don’tyou,of lightanddarkness.Dotheybothexistatthesametime?Bhakta: Therecanbenodarknesswhenthereislightnorlightwhenthereisdarkness.Swami: When there is light, where does darkness exist? When there isdarkness,wheredoeslightexist?ThinkWell.Bhakta: Thissubjectisverydifficult,Swami!Still,IshallreplyaswellasIcan.PardonmeifIamwrong.Darknessmustbeinlight;lightmustbeindarkness;howelsecanitbe?Swami: I will ask another small question. Answer me. This light and thisdarkness;aretheyindependent,oraretheydependentonanythingelse?


Bhakta: TheyaredependentontheSun.WhentheSunrises, it is light;whentheSunsets,itisdarkness.Swami: Well,myboy,vidyaandavidyaaredependentonBhagavan.Vidyahasanothername,‘chit’.Ishalldescribetoyouallthatifyoucomenextmonth.Thisisenoughfortoday.Goandcome.Ifalliseatenatthesametime,itwon’tbedigested.Itwouldleadtobadhealth.Whatwehaveheard,whatwehaveeaten,requirestimetogetdigestedandassimilated.ThatiswhyIhavegivenamonth’sinterval.Ifwithinthat time all this is fully digested and practiced, I shall tell you the rest gladly.Otherwise,youcanimaginewhatthatdaywouldbelike.Bhakta: Namaskaram.Iamindeedblessed.Todigestwhatisheard,andwhatiseaten—thepowertodothisshouldbevouchsafedbyYoualone.WheneverythingistheLord’s,howcanthisalonebeours?ButIshallusethepowerandknowledgeYouhaveendowedmewithasmuchaspossible,withoutanywaste.Beyondthat,itisallmydestinyandYourgrace.Ishalltakeleavewithyourpermission.Swami: Placingyourburdenondestinyandkeepingquietmeansdiminutionofeffort.Witheffortandprayer,destinycanbeattained.Withouteffortandprayer,destinyandgracearenotgained.Starttheeffort!Well,myboy,goandcomegladlyagain.

Source:SandehaNivarini

ObserveLimits

Every sense organ has to be used with theconsciousness of the limit inherent in it. Beyond thelimit it becomes a misuse, sacrilege of a God-giveninstrument. For example, the nose is to be usedlegitimatelytohelpinbreathingandfortheselective

enjoymentof fragrance,butmanystuff itwithsnuffanddegrade its realpurpose.The tongue ispollutedbyusing it to eatrajasic and tamasic (passion-rousingandinactivity-inducing) food and to swallow intoxicants that demean man. All senseorgansarethusspoiledbymanthroughimproper,unauthorized,orillegitimateuse.Theconsequencesformanarementaldistressandphysicaldisease.

SathyaSaiSpeaks,Vol.15,P.223Now, what is meant by non-violence? People consider only hurting and harmingothersasviolence.No,no.Harmingyourselfisalsoviolence!Talkingunnecessarily,eating immoderately, and working too much⎯these are violence. Meaning, one


should lead a life of moderation and balance. Anything done beyond limits isviolence. Evenwriting excessively is violence.Why is it bad to transgress limits?Becauseitwastesenergy.Bytalkingmorethannecessary,wedepleteourintellect.Therefore, nonviolence can be defined as the regulation of human life alongmoderateandbeneficialpaths.

SummerCourseinIndianCultureandSpirituality1995,P.154

Offerworldlyresourcesbacktotheworldinusefulforms.Thereisnothinguselessanywhere.Weseeatwigonthegroundandthinkitisuseless.No,no.Eventhatisuseful, for instance, as a toothpick! But todayman himself is useless andwasted.Why?Mandoesnotknowhisownvalue.Whatishisvalue?Manwronglybaseshisworth on position, fame, degrees, and wealth. Yes, all these may be desired butwithin limits. When we cross limits, they become dangerous instead of lendingenjoyment.Supposeyouarethirsty.Quenchyourthirstwithaglassofwater.Buttoday’smansays,“Iamnotsatisfiedwithaglass.IwanttodrinkthewholeRiverGanga!”Ifyoutry todrinkGanga, itwilldrownyou.This isonlydanger,notenjoyment.Anotherexample:youneedairtolive.Doyoutrytoinhalealltheairintheworld?Thefiveelementsmustbeusedwithinlimits.Thebodyneedsheattosurvive.Butthebodycannotfunctionwithexcessiveheat;as in105degreesFtemperature.Havelimits,havelimits,havelimits.

SummerCourseinIndianCultureandSpirituality1995,P.166

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