AUGUST 2021

Sanathana Sarathi
Devoted to the Moral and Spiritual Uplift of Humanity through
SATHYA DHARMA SANTHI PREMA AHIMSA
Vol.: 64 Issue No. 8 Date of Publication: 1st August

August 2021 "Devotion is the source of all

© Sri Sathya Sai powers. But devotion should be
Sadhana Trust, Publications Division
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Editor G.L. ANAND

Assistant Editor P. RAJESH
CONTENTS
The views and opinions expressed in 4 God is your only Goal
the articles are solely the expressions
of the authors; the editor or the Bhagavan’s Discourse: 10th April 1996
publisher is not responsible for them.
E-mail: [email protected] 7 Transformation of Dhritarashtra and Ascent of Krishna
[email protected] Bhagavatha Vahini
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AVATAR VAN I

GOD IS YOUR ONLY GOAL

INTENSE DESIRE FOR GOD IS TRUE DEVOTION

Embodiments of Divine Love! physical world. Adhidaivika is related to the

I
t is Bhakti (devotion) which sufferings caused by natural calamities such
proves the eternal sacred Truth stated as earthquakes and floods as also epidemics
in the profound Vedic dictum Tattwamasi like cholera and plague. Adhyatmika refers to
(That Thou Art). It means that the devotee the sufferings that result from wrong food and
and God are one. But man forgets this Truth bad habits.
and becomes victim of many diseases and Worldly Desires Cause Sorrow
sorrows. The sorrows man suffers from are of Diseases related to the mind are more
three types: Adhiboutika refers to the diseases prevalent in the world today as man has
that are caused by man’s attachment to the many types of worries. The cause of his

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worries is his attachment to worldly people the body. When you combine your actions with
and material objects. He has attachment love, your actions become Dharmic and divine.
to wife and children, property and wealth. A car has many parts like engine, fuel tank,
These attachments weaken his mind and battery, etc. But it runs because of the battery.
cause sufferings. Man today is beset with Similarly, human body is a machine with many
worries which he readily takes into heart and organs, like ears, eyes, hands, etc. But they
consequently suffers. He can get relief from all function because of the mind. Each organ
these sufferings only through devotion to God, of the human body has a specific function
which can also lead him to liberation. Man to perform: the eyes only see; they cannot
should therefore overcome his attachments hear; the ears only listen; they cannot see.
and develop devotion. Worldly attachments According to Vedanta, the mind is the cause of
can give only temporary happiness. But he is all the experiences of the world. For example,
deluded to think that worldly attachments will at this time, you are in the auditorium and
give him permanent happiness. All his desires listening to Swami’s Discourse. But if merely
are the cause of his sorrow. All his worldly your ears and eyes are here while your mind is
relationships and material attachments are elsewhere, you will not derive any benefit from
in fact the cause of his bondage. How long the Discourse. When only your body is present
do wealth and worldly relations last? Having and your mind is absent, you would not know
intense desire for God is true devotion. Wealth what Swami said in His Discourse. To combine
and wife are not permanent. Money comes the purified mind with actions is Dharma.
and goes. So, do not focus on worldly objects Man requires food to provide Shakti
and persons; focus only on God. (strength) to his body and clothes to protect
To Combine the Purified Mind with it. From Bhukti (food), man derives Shakti
Actions is Dharma (strength). He attains Mukti (liberation)
You are attached to your wife and children. through Bhakti (devotion). But for this, he has
Your wife and children were not born with you. to leave Rakti (attachment) and develop Virakti
They came in between your life. They will not (detachment). In the word Bhakti, ‘bha’ denotes
remain with you all your life. Similarly, the brilliance, effulgence and transcendence. The
wealth you amass will not be with you all the first syllable in Bhakti is ‘bha’ and the last, is
time. But God is always with you. God was ‘iti’. It connotes that devotion is the source of all
there prior to your birth, He would be there powers. But devotion should be pure, steady
during your lifetime and will be there even and selfless. Therefore, man should always
after your death. So, God who exists before, keep his heart pure and sacred. Then only can
during and after your life is the Truth and your he attain Bhagavan who is the embodiment of
only goal. To lead your life with this attitude purity, effulgence and selflessness.
is devotion. Your relationship with God is the Man should Display only Goodness and
only true relationship; all other relationships Purity
are false. Offer everything to God. Do your No one should look at the faults of others.
duty and please God. You are gifted with this Here is a small example. Once a Japanese
body to transform every Karma (action) into lady was travelling by train from Tokyo to
Dharma (righteousness) through love. Karma Kyoto. She was carrying with her a bundle of
is performed with hands and other organs of dirty clothes wrapped in a clean cloth. A person

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sitting near her asked her, “Why have you put Lord Siva dons moon on his forehead to shed
a clean cloth outside while all dirty clothes are coolness and comfort to all mankind. The
inside your bundle”? She replied, “I have no compassionate Lord also provides the sacred
right to display dirty clothes to anyone. The true water of the river Ganga to all. This conveys
meaning of human life is to display goodness that God keeps all that is harmful with Himself
and purity”. There are nerves, bones, blood, and gives all that is good to others in order to
urine, etc., inside the human body. If people teach them to give everything for the benefit
see this, they will have a feeling of fear and of all.
nausea. So, God has covered these parts with
At birth, a baby cries which causes blood
an attractive and beautiful skin. Similarly, man
circulation in its body. Though man begins his
should not display all that is evil and dirty in
life by crying, he should end it in bliss. The
him. Rather, he should sublimate all that is
Bhagavadgita begins with misery in human life

Your relationship with God is

the only true relationship; all
other relationships are false.
Offer everything to God. Do
your duty and please God. You
are gifted with this body to
transform every Karma (action)
into Dharma (righteousness)
through love. Karma is
performed with hands and other
organs of the body. When you
combine your actions with love,
your actions become Dharmic
and divine.

but ends in divine bliss. The life in the world

has both good and bad. Share all that is good
with others. But, unfortunately, man today
bad in him and maintain purity and goodness.
behaves just contrary to it. He always finds
The best example of this is provided by Lord
faults in others rather than knowing his own
Siva who drank deadly poison which came out
faults and making efforts to remove them. If we
when gods and demons churned the ocean.
remove our own faults through self-inquiry, we
So, he saved the universe from destruction.
can advance on the path of spiritual progress.
This is the lesson that God teaches man, “Oh
mad man! If there is anything bad and harmful (To be continued in the next issue...)
in you, keep it to yourself and do not cause – Bhagavan’s Divine Discourse in Sai
harm to others by your words and deeds”. Sruthi, Kodaikanal on 10th April 1996.

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Bhagavatha Vahini

Chapters 8 and 9
TRANSFORMATION OF DHRITARASHTRA
AND ASCENT OF KRISHNA

D hritarashtra and Gandhari

reached the forest along with Vidura.
Vidura searched for a site where they
could practise austerities. He also advised them
this, Dharmaraja had a shock. He went back
to the palace and searched every room with
great care and his worst fears were confirmed.
His hands and feet shivered in despair. His
on the best means of seeking Self-realisation. tongue became dry. Words did not emerge
They spent the days in holy company and holy from his mouth. He fell on the floor, as if life
thoughts. had ebbed out. Recovering, he blabbered
Meanwhile in Hasthinapura, as soon as indistinctly. He called on Vidura more than
the sun rose, Dharmaraja woke up, finished once, and the officers around him became
his ablutions and performed the ritual worship afraid of his future. Everyone rushed to the
of the “Household Fire”. He gave away in presence, asking, “What happened”? sensing
charity the usual daily gifts to the needy. He some calamity. They stood in a circle, awaiting
then proceeded on foot towards the palace of orders from the master.
Dhritarashtra, his paternal uncle, as was his Just then, Sanjaya came there, all of a
wont, for he never began his daily round of sudden. Dharmaraja rose and caught hold
duties without taking on his head the dust of of both his hands: “My parents have gone;
his feet. The king and queen were not found alas, I found their chambers empty. Why did
in their chambers. So, he waited for some they behave like this? Have they disclosed
little time expecting them to return thereto, anything to you, tell me. If I know where
searching for them all around, even while they have gone, I could fall at their feet and
he was waiting anxiously for their return. He crave pardon for all my failings. Tell me quick,
noticed however that the beds were not slept Sanjaya, where have they gone”? He too had
upon, the pillows did not bear marks of use, no knowledge of their whereabouts. He only
the pieces of furniture were undisturbed. He knew that Vidura must be at the bottom of the
doubted for a moment that the rooms might whole affair. He too shed tears, and holding
have been reset by someone after use, but no, Dharmaraja’s hands in his, he said in a voice
some fear got hold of him that they must have that shook with tremor, “Lord and Master,
left; so, he hurried towards the room of Vidura believe me, I am speaking the truth. Of course,
to discover that he too had fled. His bed was Dhritarashtra used to consult me and ask for
unused. my suggestions even in small matters; but
The attendants reported that the sage did in this affair he has acted without discussing
not return to his room from the king and queen with me or even informing me. I am struck with
to whom he had gone. As soon as he heard wonder at this act. Though I was near him, I
* Continued from July 2021 issue.
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did not in the least know about his journey. I anxiously the reason for the grief. She peeped
cannot also guess why he should have done into the chambers and not finding Gandhari
so. I never dreamt that he would deceive me or her brother-in-law, she asked Sanjaya
thus. He showed me some respect and had what had happened to them. Sanjaya could
some confidence in me. But he has played me not reply. He could only shed tears. “Where
false. I can only say that this is my bad luck.” have they gone, in their aged and helpless
Sanjaya started weeping like a child. condition? Tell me,” she cried; but no one could
Dharmaraja consoled him, saying that it answer. Meanwhile, Dharmaraja called the
was really the consequence of his own sins, brothers to his side and made some gestures
and not Sanjaya’s. “The extent of our bad luck which they could not understand aright. Then,
can be gauged from this. Our father left us even he mustered courage and rose from the
while we were children. This uncle brought us ground. He managed to narrate to them the
up from that tender age. We were revering him happenings since sunrise. He asked Bhima to
and tending him as both father and uncle. I must send forces in all directions to search for them
have perpetrated some error out of ignorance. and find them, for they would not have gone
I am incapable of doing so, consciously. Both far, since they were blind and could not travel
uncle and aunt were broiling in the agony of fast; they must be groping their way.
the loss of their hundred sons. I was eager to Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva obeyed their
offer them some little peace, and so myself brother’s order and sent troops in all directions.
and my four brothers were wholeheartedly They rummaged all the roads, lanes and by-
serving them so that they might not remember lanes, peeped into wells, searched in all tanks
the anguish of their terrible loss. We took care and lakes, but could find no trace of the blind
that no little point was missed while serving couple. Believing that they must have fallen
them. There was no diminution of reverence or into the Ganga, they got experts to scour the
affection. Alas, that they should have left this banks and even dive into the waters to discover
place! What a tragedy, what a terrible blow!” their fate. All their efforts were in vain. So, the
lamented Dharmaraja. Pandava brothers were sunk in grief that they
“My uncle and aunt are both aged and could not save the king and queen from that
weak; besides, they are blind. I cannot horrid fate.
understand how they managed to leave this Meanwhile, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari
place. How they must be suffering now! Not were joyfully contemplating on God, seated in
even one attendant accompanied them. Of prescribed postures with their minds rigorously
what benefit are these large numbers that I under control. When they were thus lost in
have? Groping along, they might have fallen Divine Contemplation, and immersed in that
into the Ganga, by now. Oh, how unlucky I am! supreme joy, a huge forest fire swept along,
I fostered them both like the apple of the eye consuming them too in its fierce onslaught.
and at last, I have allowed them to meet this Vidura had a great desire to cast off his
tragic fate.” Dharmaraja was beating his chest body at the holy centre of Prabhasaksethra,
and expressing his deep distress. and so, he escaped the fire; and filled with joy
The brothers heard the lamentation and at the immense good fortune of the couple,
they flew fast to the side of the weeping he continued his pilgrimage and reached the
Dharmaraja. Kunti, the mother, also enquired place which he had chosen as the scene of

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his exit. There, he cast off his body, which was ill-fortune, and the negation of joy. I argued
composed of the five elements, and which within myself that this was only the result of
therefore, was material and momentary. my warped imagination and I tried my best to
Dharmaraja who was reeling in agony muster up courage and confidence. I did not
at the departure of his uncle and aunt – like to fall a prey to my fears. But I could not
Dhritarashtra and Gandhari – had another succeed. Recollecting the scenes made my
bout of unbearable pain which was like a fear even more fearsome.
needle thrust underneath the nails. Wherever “To aggravate the sadness, I saw some
he turned, he began seeing bad omens in his scenes that are contrary to established morals
kingdom. He noted in every act around him the and Dharma. Not only did they come to my
taint of falsehood, cruelty and injustice. It met actual notice, the Courts of Justice in this
him at every step and confused his vision. kingdom have been receiving petitions and
As a result, an inexplicable anguish pleas regarding wrongs, injustices, iniquities
possessed him anew. His face became and misdeeds, which make me grieve deeply.
pale with apprehension. It was marked by “I saw some situations which were even
constant agitation and anxiety. Seeing this and worse. Last evening, when I was returning
becoming agitated themselves, the brothers – after a tour of the kingdom, I saw a mother
Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva – approached cow refusing to nurse and feed her newborn
their eldest and expressed their eagerness to calf! This is quite strange and contrary to
delve into the reasons for his strange sadness. nature. I saw some women wantonly loitering
They stood before him with folded hands and in the bazaar. I hoped that they would rush
enquired, “Lord and Master! Day by day we into their homes when they saw me; but no.
find your countenance rendered dimmer and It did not happen so. They had no reverence
dimmer; you seem sunk in unfathomable for authority. They went on as if I was not in
agony, sinking deeper and deeper with every the picture. They continued to talk without
passing hour. You have become too weak to restraint to the men folk. I saw all this with my
stand firm. If any of us has caused you pain, own eyes. I simply proceeded further from that
please tell us. We shall guard ourselves against horrid place.
repetition, and we pray we may be pardoned. “Very near the Raj Bhavan, when I was
If all this is due to something else, you have about to enter it, I perceived a Brahmin selling
only to tell us about it, we shall at the cost of milk and curds! I saw people emerging out
our very lives set it right and restore your mind. of their houses and closing the doors behind
When you have such heroes obedient as we them. I found them fixing some iron lump to
are, to correct anyone, however high and them, so that they may not be opened! (The
mighty, it is not proper for you to give vent to reference is, evidently, to locks which were
grief. Inform us the reason and command us strange things in Dharmaraja’s kingdom for
what to do”, they prayed. no one had any fear of thieves). My mind was
Dharmaraja replied: “What can I tell you, very much concerned with all these tragic
dear brothers? I see ominous things all around. transformations.
From the homes of ordinary citizens to the “I tried to forget this state of affairs and so
hermitages of the saints and sages, wherever started doing the Evening Rituals, the sacred
my eye falls, I see only inauspiciousness, rite of offering oblations to the consecrated fire

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and shall I tell you what happened? The fire Perhaps you are anxious to avoid the ravages
could not be lit, however hard I tried. Oh, what that the revival of war might bring about. That
a calamity it was! My fears that these events contingency is impossible. For, all our foes
foreboded some great catastrophe is fed by have been exterminated, with their kith and
other happenings too. They are confirming kin. Only we five are left, and we have to seek
my premonitions every minute. I find myself for friends and foes only among ourselves.
too weak to overcome them. Perhaps the Kali Rivalry will not break out among us, even in
Yuga has begun or is about to begin, I believe. our dreams. Then, what agitates you? I cannot
“For, how else are we to explain such facts understand why you are afflicted. People will
as this: a wife has quarrelled with her husband laugh at you when you take these little things
and is arguing before the judge in court that to heart and lose peace of mind”. Bhima said
she should be permitted to go to her parents, this, and changing his mighty mace from the
leaving him to himself. How am I to face such right hand to the left, he laughed a laugh which
a plea in court that she should be permitted to was half a jeer.
dissolve the marriage and leave for her parents’ To this Dharmaraja replied: “I have the same
home, deserting her husband? A petition from discrimination and intelligence that you have,
such a wife was admitted yesterday in the in these matters. Nor have I an iota of dread
Court of Justice! How am I to ignore such that enemies will overpower us. Have we not
abominations? defeated the renowned warriors, Bhishma,
“Why go on recounting these occurrences? Drona and the rest who could singly and with
Yesterday, the horses in the royal stables but one arrow destroy the three worlds? What
started weeping, did you hear? They were can any foe do to us? And, what can agitate us
shedding copious tears, the syces reported. who were bearing even the direst calamities
Sahadeva tried to investigate the causes of with fortitude. How can any difference arise
their deep sorrow; but he could not discover between us now, who stood so firm in the days
why and he was struck with wonder and of distress?
consternation. These are indications of “Perhaps you suspect that I am afraid of
wholesale destruction, not of any minor anything happening to me, personally. No,
danger or small evil.” Dharmaraja placed his I shall never be agitated by anything that
chin on his upright arm and rested a while in might happen to me, for, this body is a bubble
deep thought. upon the waters, it is a composite of the five
Bhima did not give way to despair. He elements waiting to be dissolved back into its
laughed a scornful laugh and began: “The components. The dissolution must happen
incidents and events you mention might have some day; it is bound to fail, to fall, to fester, to
happened. I do not deny them. But how can be reduced to ash or mud. I do not pay heed
they bring disaster to us? Why should we give to its fate.
up all hope? All these abnormalities can be “My only worry is of one particular matter.
set right by administrative measures and their I shall disclose it to you, without any attempt
enforcement. It is really surprising that you are to conceal the seriousness. Listen. It is now
so worried about these small matters which more or less seven months since our brother
can be corrected by us. Or, is it the imminent Arjuna left for Dwaraka. Yet, we have not heard
breaking out of another war, that you fear? anything about the welfare and well-being of

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the Lord of Dwaraka. He has not sent any us wait, seek further light; let us not yield to the
messenger or message regarding, at least, his fantasies that a nervous mind might weave.
reaching Dwaraka. Of course, I am not worried Let us not clothe them with the vesture of truth.
in the least about Arjuna and his reaching or I am encouraged to speak like this, for, one’s
not reaching Dwaraka. I know that no foe can nervousness is often capable of shaping such
stand up against him. Moreover, if anything fears”.
untoward had happened to him, certainly, Sri But Dharmaraja was in no mood to accept
Krishna would have sent the information to us; this. He replied: “Whatever you say, however
of this there is no doubt. So, I am confident skilfully you argue, I feel that my interpretation
that there is no reason to be nervous about is correct. Or else, how can such an idea arise
him. in my mind? My left shoulder is registering a
“Let me confess that it is about the Lord shiver, see. This is a sign confirming my fear
Himself that I am feeling worried. With every that this has actually happened. You know
passing minute, anxiety is increasing. My it is a bad omen, if the left shoulder shivers
heart is suffering unbearable agony. I am for men and the right, for women. Now, this
overwhelmed by the fear that He may leave thing has taken place in my body, and it is a
this world and resume His permanent abode. bad omen. Not merely the shoulder, the entire
What greater reason can there be for sorrow? being – mind, body, intelligence – all are in a
“If this catastrophe has actually come shiver. My eyes grow dim and I am fast losing
about, I shall not continue to rule over this land, vision. I see the world as an orphan, having
widowed by the disappearance of the Master. been deprived of its Guardian and Lord. I have
For us Pandavas, Vaasudeva was all our five lost the faculty of hearing. My legs are shaking
vital airs put together; when He departs, we helplessly. My limbs have been petrified. They
are but corpses, devoid of vitality. If the Lord have no life in them.
is upon the earth, such ominous signs dare “What greater proof do you need to assert
not reveal themselves. Injustice and iniquity that the Lord has left? Believe me, dear
can have free play only when He is absent. brothers. Even if you do not, facts will not
I have no doubt about this. My conscience is change. The earth is shaking under our feet.
clear about it; something tells me that this is Do you not hear the eerie noises emanating
the truth.” from the agonised heart of the earth? Tanks
When Dharmaraja asserted thus, the and lakes are shaken into waves. The sky, air,
brothers fell into the depth of grief. They lost fire, and waters and the earth all moaning their
all trace of courage. Bhima was the first who fate, for they have lost their Master.
recovered sufficiently to speak! He mustered “How many more evidences do you need to
some courage, in spite of the wave of sadness get convinced? News came some days back
that smothered him. He said, “For the reason of showers of blood that rained in some parts
that Arjuna has not returned or that we have of our kingdom.”
not heard from him, you should not picture Hearing these words, streams of tears
such a dire calamity and start imagining coursed down the cheeks of Nakula and
catastrophe. There must be some other Sahadeva, even as they stood before their
reason for Arjuna’s silence; or else, Krishna brother. Their hearts were struck with pain;
Himself might have neglected to inform us. Let they could not stand, for their legs failed them.

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12. 11. 71
at 9 A.M.

To Hislop
To try to meditate, to try to become quiet, to try to relax. Keep
trying. Every positive effort that you make is not in vain. Every single
brick added to a temple made of bricks brings that temple closer to
completion. So keep trying and one day all of a sudden you will pierce
the lower realms of your mind and enter into contemplation and you
will be able to say: "Yes, I know, I have seen, now I know fully the
path that I am on". Keep trying. You have to start somewhere. The
self you cannot speak of, you can only try to think about it, if you care
to, in one way: feel your mind, body and emotions, and know.
With Blessings
Baba

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MY EXPERIENCES WITH BHAGAVAN

SRI SATHYA SAI BABA*
Dr. Goteti Saraswati

A
fter visiting the house of have seen my altar, my Krishna there. There
Kolluri Somasekhara Sastri, Swami went used to be a gold chain around Krishna’s neck,
to Rajamahendravaram. They don’t with a large Omkaram locket. I wondered if
generally allow vehicles on the anicut after 6 someone had taken it when we were running
p.m. They kept it open for Swami. I got into around. But this matter should not be publicised
the car with just the clothes I was wearing. No because people who had come there were
very eminent persons. So,
I told him, “Yes I brought
it along”. He replied, “Oh!
That’s a relief! There was
so much chaos at home
over the chain vanishing
from Krishna’s neck.
Volunteers, their children,
had all come to Madam’s
house. All of them were
feeling bad”. So, I told
him, “I brought the chain
along. Don’t talk about it
anymore to anyone”. That
was finished.
There, they had done a
Yajna in Kasi Visweswara
temple for three days. Swami got that Yajna
bath. No brush. No change of clothes. How done by Sri Sathyam. After that Swami was
could I freshen up in the morning? Just like our to go to Razole. At Kadali, He was to go to
Seenu, there was another boy called Verri. This Sri Kamavadhani's house. And from there, to
boy got on a bus and arrived there early in the Seetharam Babu’s house at Razole. The date
morning. “I have brought clothes, toothpaste, was 5th April 1965. He had not spoken to us.
and brush for Madam,” said the boy. My brother had come in the morning with the
The Story of the Lost Chain car. Swami told him, “Lingamurthy, you have
“Please come this way,” the boy said. “What come in the morning. You had called someone
happened?” I asked. “Did you bring along the for tonsil operation. The patient has come. You
chain in Krishna’s neck?” he asked. You might go and finish that tonsil operation. Start again
* Continued from June 2021 issue.
14 August 2021 Sanathana Sarathi
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in the afternoon tomorrow; don’t come in the Lingamurthy was in the car. Whom did you
morning.” He finished that tonsil operation and assign to keep guard for the rear stairs?” He
came by car in the afternoon. Swami told us, asked. Yes, nobody was there. Everybody was
“I will travel in your car to Razole”. He gave us elsewhere. Someone had taken it along the
that opportunity once again. “I did not speak rear stairs, it seems. We asked, “Where has it
to you at Amalapuram, I did not speak to come from? “Nowhere else – it came from the
you here either. So many days have passed. house of the person who took it,” He said. “What
Come, I will speak to you,” He said. He sat do you mean, Swami?” Swami explained, “He
on the bed. My brother and I were at His feet. took the chain and buried it in the coconut
He conversed on so many matters. My brother grove, keeping a brick on top. Then when my
was making some gestures whispering, brother asked when it would return, Swami
“Sister, ask Him”. “Keep quiet.” I signed back. said, “You don’t have patience”. He waved His
Swami asked, “What is Lingamurthy saying”? hand, and brought it out shaking off the dust
“Nothing, Swami.” After some time, Swami from it. Later, He narrated this incident to Sri
said, “Assume Krishna’s chain is gone. Why Anil Kumar and said, “I had to put My hand
create such a big scene”? Then, my brother to take it out from there because he had put
got the courage to speak up, since Swami the chain so deep inside. This is the chain”! He
had opened the subject. He asked, “Who gave it to me and said, “Now put this around
might have taken it, Swami”? “Why should your neck. Don’t take it off. Is Krishna only in
you bother who has taken it?” Swami asked. that idol? He is also in you, in him, in everyone.
“The chain will return just as it went. No need You are Krishna. Put this on”. On that road,
to worry.” After conversing with everyone, He after we passed Lolla Lakulu, He gave me this
left at 5 p.m. Omkaram locket.
Once again, the one way traffic at The Bliss of Divine Proximity
Dowleswaram. After waiting for the traffic, we When Swami was in our house, He was
proceeded. Swami was in our car. Gogineni like one of us, our very own, asking when He
Venkateswara Rao’s car alone remained
felt like drinking coffee or talking about not
there. The other cars had already gone to
drinking coffee. How much love He gives, I
Razole. Swami was seated in our car. After
cannot describe in words. In our house, Swami
Dowleswaram, we have to turn this way and
would be freer than ourselves. His love is
then that way. There is a village Lolla Lakulu. We
indescribable during such moments.
reached the road beyond that. Under the trees
there, Swami said, “Yes! It has come”! “What Since we had to go to Sri Kamavadhani’s
has come?” I asked. My brother immediately house, as we went along, Swami kept singing
stopped the car and asked Swami, “Swami, songs, poems. It is indescribable! I did not
has the chain come back to Krishna’s neck”? know the way to Kamavadhani's house.
That was what he had in his mind. I was not On the way, I asked someone, “Where is
thinking of that chain. “Lingamurthy, you keep Kamavadhani's house”? “Keep quiet! I will tell
worrying about it. All right. It will come now,” you where the house is. Don’t ask anyone,”
He said. He waved His hand and took out said Swami. “I won’t ask,” I said. We went
the chain! Swami told us the chain’s story as straight to Kamavadhani’s house, stayed there
we came. We asked, “Swami, when did they for some time and returned to the main road.
take it”? “You were talking about Prasadam. Then He went to Gogineni Venkateswara

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Rao’s house at night. We were very well and they brought it out, I thought You had sent
known to his grandmother, from young age. it.” I replied. “Do you think I take such things?
His grandmother loved us so much. She would Why did you accept it?” He asked. “I will not
treat me like her daughter. She said, “Both of accept any more. Please forgive me.” I said,
you eat first”. So, we ate. Later, Swami spoke and sat there with my mouth shut. We returned
to everyone, and after dinner, it was 11 or 12 at after lunch. Starting at 4 p.m., we came near a
night, when we left their house. building at Bandarulanka.
In 1969, Swami moved through the entire N. Raju’s mother had put up a Shamiana
East Godavari district. He went to 9-10 villages and a small platform in that place. When
per day. By the time, He would return home, Swami got down there and went up to her, she
all that red dust covered Him like make-up. said, “God has come to my house”. There is
In 1969, he stayed one whole day and night. a tree near the temple with a platform. Swami
The next day, after breakfast in the morning, sang Nandalala there and made me also
He spoke to devotees about Vedanta and so sing near that tree. After that, Swami had to
on. He would decide to whose houses He had go to Gannavaram. Devotees there thought:
to go. There was the house of Vijay Sai. They “We won’t trouble Swami, we will come to the
thought that He would come earlier, in 1965. road”. Everyone came up to the road. There,
My brother said, “Swami, the poor fellows are one devotee and his wife came up to Swami.
clamouring for You to visit their house. Please Swami asked, “Yes, what do you want”? He
do”. In 1965, He did not go. So, He went to said, “I want a son, Swami”. “You want a son?
their house in 1969. Something happened at All right. He will be born”, Swami replied. That
their house. Keeping some clothes for Swami child turned out to be a son Sai Prasad. In this
on a silver platter, they came out. I did not way, Swami satisfied the desires of people
know whether Swami had blessed the clothes
everywhere. As we reached Gannavaram
or not, since I was waiting in the car. Swami
aqueduct, I told Him, “I have become alone
would tell me not to come in; He would go and
now. Swami, I will return”. He agreed. Balaji’s
return. They gave me that platter. Since it
family received Swami and took Him to Razole
might have come from Swami, I took it. Swami
taluk in 1969.
came later and started scolding me! “Have
you come here for grabbing these things? Did (To be continued...)
I tell you to take these things? Why did you – The author, a gynaecologist by
take it?” It was a sudden outburst! “What do profession, was a devotee of Bhagavan for
I know? Since You had been to their house, over five decades.

The mind should be filled with the nectar of pure love, not the poison of carnal desires.
Only then can you experience real happiness. Every human being should try to understand
how he has to change and correct himself and what he has to accomplish in this world.
After knowing this, he should conduct himself accordingly. Only then can he realise
true humanness.
– Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

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SRI SATHYA SAI BABA IS

ALWAYS WITHIN US
Dr. V. Balamohandas

I
don’t claim to
be a regular visitor to
Prasanthi Nilayam,
but I am a strong believer
of Bhagavan Baba and
His teachings. I try to
practise what Bhagavan
has preached and use
His quotes, sayings,
small stories, etc., in my
lectures in the classroom
and outside meetings.
Help Ever – Hurt Never
has been my life mission.
His idol on a royal chair is
part of the Puja Mandir in
our home. I do my prayers
in my morning walk,
chanting the names of all
a hobby of rendering Harikatha on invitations
gods and goddesses including Sri Sathya Sai.
of cultural organisations. Sometimes, I used
I feel that I am privileged and blessed to be
to accompany him and enjoy listening to the
invited to contribute this article.
various spiritual stories. Being in a remote rural
A School Dropout Becomes Vice area in the childhood, my formal education
Chancellor up to my fifth class was not at all good. I was
Before I list my experiences associated admitted to high school in a semi-urban town
with Bhagavan Baba, I wish to briefly mention where the bad company of friends led me to
about myself. I was born in a middle class get into the bad habits of collecting empty
rural family with beliefs in spirituality and cigarette packets and playing on tamarind
one of my parents offered regular Puja to the trees, bunking regular classes. Noticed by
Almighty. I was exposed to the Ramayana, my father and subjected to discontinuation of
the Mahabharata, the Puranas and Vedic studies as a punishment resulted in my being
stories from my childhood by my maternal a school dropout at sixth class itself – those
grandmother and my father. My father was days, it was called First Form. I was made to
engaged in small business activities and had assist in household work, rearing cattle and

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so on for almost three years. Thanks to my and Education, having more than 1,200
elder brother’s help, I was put under special Sathya Sai Centres in 126 countries. Though
coaching for Andhra Matriculation under the not physically with us now, He is the guiding
able mentorship of an occasionally practising force for all of us. His followers are spread over
advocate, who helped me to get through the 178 countries. Bhagavan Himself stated – “I
examination in just eleven months. Since have a Task: To foster all mankind and ensure
then, I did not look back and had an excellent for all of them lives full of bliss. I have a Vow:
college studies with ranks and university level To lead all who stray away from the straight
postgraduate with State Government merit path, again into goodness and save them. I am
scholarship, securing second rank. Invited to attached to a Work that I love: To remove the
join the teaching faculty of Andhra University sufferings of the poor and grant them what they
immediately after my PG in 1968 by my lack. I have a reason to be proud, for I rescue
teachers, I had the fortune of becoming a all who worship and adore Me”. All of us have
teacher to my juniors and even some of my been witness to the grand manner in which
classmates at graduation level. The Almighty His vision has taken shape. The world class
blessed me to obtain Ph.D. and to reach super speciality hospitals that offer tertiary
higher echelons, becoming the Youngest level medical care free of charge, schools,
Professor of India in July 1978 when I was colleges and university level institutions that
selected as a Professor at the age of 31 years. impart values-based education, the mammoth
Becoming the Vice Chancellor of Acharya drinking water supply projects and so many
Nagarjuna University in 2005 for a three year numerous other service projects undertaken
tenure was another milestone blessed by by Him and His devotees stand as testimony
Bhagavan. A school dropout became a Vice to His selfless Love and Compassion for
Chancellor! I did my best there thanks to the humanity. The Sathya Sai Avatar has heralded
continued blessings of the Almighty. Post a golden era of Divinity in the history of mankind
superannuation, though retired, I am not tired. and His devotees continue His mission of
The AICTE and the UGC have given me the Love and Service. Now I present hereunder
opportunity of being the Emeritus Professor for my experiences with His Divine Love and
a total period of four years. Blessings at different times.
My Association with Bhagavan’s Mission • The best introduction I had about Baba
of Love and Service was from Sri I. Ranganayakulu, Principal of
Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been the spiritual the famous S.S.N. College, Narasaraopet,
guide of crores of people all over the world. where I had my P.U.C. and B.Com. What
Born as Rathnakaram Sathyanarayana Raju, I am today and what I could do in my
He declared at the age of fourteen years that teacher-administrative career are the result
He was the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba, He of the disciplined instruction I derived from
left home to serve society and be an example my teachers there and the wisdom of the
to His followers. A small Ashram started by Principal Sri Ranganayakulu. He told us in
Him at remote Puttaparthi village, has now several meetings about Baba’s concepts
developed into world renowned Prasanthi of Love and Service. These ideas were
Nilayam with three wings – Spirituality, Service planted by him not only in me but in several

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students and teachers. As a Syndicate of SKU was Dr. T. Subbi Reddy, who
member of the Andhra University, he used happened to be my Junior at M.Com and
to visit the university campus several times my student in his final year. We were good
and whenever he went, he never missed to friends and at his suggestion I made my trip
meet his alumni studying at the university. To to Anantapur with my wife Vasantha on the
my luck, I was on the faculty after I finished condition that he will take us to Puttaparthi
my PG there. I had several occasions to for Darshan of Baba. To my surprise, I came
meet him. In all his meetings, he invariably to know that he was not believing Sri Sathya
used to mention about Sri Sathya Sai. Sri Sai while his wife Anila (niece of President
Ranganayakulu, after his superannuation, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy) was a devotee
stayed all through his life serving Baba, of Baba. We made our trip to Puttaparthi
effectively discharging his duties as the as promised by him. But he was sitting in
Correspondent of the Schools at Prasanthi his car for all the three hours while we three
Nilayam until his passing away. were listening to Baba’s preachings. This is
• My first Darshan of Sri Sathya Sai Baba the second time I had the Darshan of Baba
was at Whitefield, Bengaluru in 1976 when in close proximity. I wish to mention here a
I took my Ph.D. viva voce examination surprising development that happened in
conducted by a committee consisting of Dr. Subbi Reddy’s life. In just two years’ time
my Research Supervisor, Professor K.V. later, he became an ardent devotee of Sri
Sivayya of Andhra University and the Sathya Sai Baba and whenever we talked
external Indian examiner of my dissertation, on phone, the first thing that was discussed
Professor O.R. Krishna Swamy, Dean of was about Baba’s service projects.
Commerce, Bangalore University. Professor • My students at PG – R. Kumar Bhaskar
Krishna Swamy was an ardent devotee of and P. Subbarao, joined as the faculty at
Sri Sathya Sai. During the course of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.
viva voce, he mentioned about Baba and While Subbarao joined later SKU, Kumar
asked me whether I knew anything about Bhaskar continued his teaching career
Baba, apart from the research study. I until his superannuation. I had academic
mentioned about my association with Sri I. assignments from SSSIHL for paper setting
Ranganayakulu. After the completion of the and evaluation of MBA for almost 15 years
viva voce, my teacher Professor Sivayya until my superannuation. Prof. Nanjundaiah,
and I proceeded to Whitefield, knowing that the Controller of Examinations then, was the
Baba was camping there. We were part of direct link for us. I always considered these
the thousands that assembled there to have assignments as the blessing of the Avatar.
Darshan and listen to Baba. That was the • Since I became the Professor at a very
first time I was so much impressed about young age, I had the privilege of associating
His Mission of Love and Service. with the academic assignments of over 95
• I was invited for an official meeting by Sri universities in the country. In one of such
Krishnadevaraya University in 1978 after I assignments at Madras University, I met Dr.
became a Professor at Andhra University. K. Hanumanthappa, Reader at Bangalore
The then HOD of the Commerce Department University in 1982. I was hardly 35 years

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old, while he was in his fifties. I came to • We reached together and were waiting in
know that he was an alumnus of Andhra separate enclosures in Sai Kulwant Hall. Sri
University long ago. We became very good Sathya Sai, in His usual way, was walking
friends both academically and personally. through the devotees. He crossed the place
He was an ardent devotee of Sri Sathya Sai where my wife, the boy’s mother and my
and our conversations naturally started with daughter were sitting. My daughter was
Sai Ram. Dr. Hanumanthappa became the holding the silk Sari and the gold Mangala
Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University, Sutra in her hands. After crossing them,
walking a little away, suddenly He turned
and immediately after completing his tenure
and came back and blessed my daughter,
there, Baba blessed him to become the Vice
touching the Sari and the gold chain. The
Chancellor of SSSIHL.
marriage was performed on 25th December
Proximity with Bhagavan’s Devotees 1997. The boy named Katta Bhaskar, a Bank
• When we were looking for a bridegroom for Executive in a senior cadre in Australia,
my daughter, Sandhya, one of my friends invariably visits Prasanthi Nilayam in his
suggested an alliance from Vijayawada. every visit to India and is associated with
They sent the photograph of the boy for our Seva organisations too in his own way.
consideration. We were surprised to find • My three years tenure as the Vice Chancellor
that the photo of the groom was the one of Acharya Nagarjuna University, thanks to
which was taken along with Sri Sathya Sai the blessings of Sri Sathya Sai, brought me
Baba. My daughter keeps Baba’s photo in name and fame in academic circles as well
her bedroom. She started saying that she as the University area of Guntur, Krishna
decided to marry this boy only as she felt and Prakasam districts. I had the fortune
that Baba is telling her to marry the boy. of addressing the Sai devotees of Guntur
We invited the family. The boy’s mother is several times.
Smt. Kamala Kumari, former Principal of • I wish to mention a special incident that
Government College, Palakol. She was happened in my travel with my wife from
actively associated with Sri Sathya Sai Bal Visakhapatnam to Guntur by Prasanthi
Vikas. They came to see my daughter on Express to take charge as Vice Chancellor.
The usual practice is when I am on travel, I
my 50th Birthday (15th August 1997). We
wear Swami’s Vibhuti. During this journey,
were not interested in knowing their financial
we noticed that we forgot to take Vibhuti at
status since we were told that the boy had
my house. We were talking among ourselves
his education from 8th class onwards up to
about this and to our surprise a foreigner
MBA in Sri Sathya Sai institutions. What else woman co-traveller (belonging to an African
one wants? A groom endowed with values country) offered a Vibhuti packet stating
of Baba for so many years and even his that Sri Sathya Sai Baba had ordered her to
placement at City Bank, Chennai was His pass on this Vibhuti to us. We felt it was a
Divine blessings. Their only condition was direct blessing from Baba.
that all of us should go to Prasanthi Nilayam – The author is former Vice Chancellor
and if Baba blesses the bride, it would be of Acharya Nagarjuna University and AICTE
confirmed. Emeritus Fellow at Andhra University.

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Swami in my Life
V. Janaki Ram Pai

I t was in December 1967 that I had

my first Darshan of our Beloved Swami.
The venue was the Durbar Hall Grounds in
Ernakulam, where a huge crowd had gathered
moved slowly among the people. I could not
believe my eyes at the sight of His graceful
frail figure, with hallowed crown of black hair
and a bewitching radiant smile, captivating the
to have a glimpse of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The audience. Immediate nearness to Him had the
mesmerising effect on me which I could not
resist. Let me confess my inability to describe
Him, knowing fully well that any attempt I might
make, could neither be complete nor perfect,
yet these expressions are only a genuine effort
to describe my understanding of the glory of
the Lord who was standing before me. Just
as a magnet draws iron filings towards it, I
felt attracted to His Lotus Feet, as most of His
devotees are, for sheer joy of His Darshan,
Sparshan and Sambashan (vision, touch and
conversation).
My first visit to Prasanthi Nilayam took place
in 1971. Looking back, I now realise that the
trip was made possible by Him only as nobody
in my family wanted to go to Puttaparthi.
However, by His grace no untoward incident
happened and we reached Puttaparthi safely,
though later on we came to know that the areas
we passed through were infested with dacoits.
And who could it be other than our Beloved
Swami to ensure our safety!
A Blissful Interview
In those days, the crowds were thinner
as compared to those of the later years. We
two-acred ground was heavily barricaded to attended the heavenly and soothing morning
control the crowd which included both believers Bhajan session and then waited till around
as well as non-believers. Melodious devotional 3.30 p.m. for the interview session when
songs were being sung while the people were Baba came out and walked among the people
eagerly waiting to see Bhagavan Sri Sathya seated along the passages across the length
Sai Baba. Suddenly, Swami appeared and and breadth of the entire packed area. Only

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a few people were selected by Him for the On return from Prasanthi Nilayam after
personal audience. When I tried to get up, Guru Purnima, there was no rest, but a keen
Swami patted on my shoulder and made me longing to attend the forthcoming grand
sit. At that point of time, I don’t remember Navaratri festival, which would be celebrated
what passed through my mind. I felt as if He in the Divine Presence of our Beloved Swami.
had abandoned me. Only He could know my The festivities would go on for over nine days
agony and disappointment at being denied the and it was a golden chance to be with Him.
interview. However, the merciful Lord never Prasanthi Nilayam was reverberating with
forsakes His devotees! Next day, when He soul-stirring Bhajans, led by Sri Raja Reddy,
selected me for the interview, my joy knew Sri Mohan Rao and Smt. Vijaya. The spiritually
no bounds. Any material gift from Him might heightened atmosphere was surcharged by
have lost its sheen by familiarity and proximity Swami’s Divine Presence. Vedic hymns were
He blessed me with in this most cherished being chanted by the priests. Yajnashala was
interview. In the interview room, Swami kept set up on the stage in the auditorium and the
looking at me for some time mischievously. fire required for the Yajna was produced in
Being closest to the Lord Himself physically, the traditional way by rubbing one piece of
I burst into tears, not knowing what to do. wood on another. Lost in this blissful heavenly
Even today I have no words to describe my atmosphere, we nearly lost sight of Swami
feelings when the all-merciful Lord took me in offering Poornahuti in the sacrificial fire along
His arms and caressing me with motherly love with a stream of precious stones, which flowed
consoled me and directed me to engage in from His palm.
Namasmarana always. This lifetime blessing Next year, we were there, again for the
was His gift to me and even today after Sivarathri festival. Thanks to His blessings,
about 50 years, I relive every moment of that we could witness Him performing the Vibhuti
auspicious day. Abhishekam of the silver idol of Sri Shirdi
Swami’s Leelas During Festivals Sai Baba which was an awesome miracle to
During one of our subsequent visits, we behold. Sri Kasturi, a staunch devotee, held an
happened to be at Prasanthi Nilayam on Guru urn upside down. As Swami thrust His arm into
Purnima day when Swami gave a spoonful of the vessel and churned, Vibhuti started flowing
Amrit to devotees in Darshan lines, pouring it incessantly. Again, He repeated the action with
into their cupped palms, surprisingly, all the the other arm causing an outpour of Vibhuti.
while without ever refilling the silver container. To everybody’s surprise, the flow stopped as
Swami inspires His devotees to seek and soon as He took out His arm. Vibhuti was much
individually experience His Leelas when time more than the vessel could possibly contain. It
ushers in new meanings, interpretations and was a revelation beyond the realm of science.
answers which get ingrained in us. At some In the evening, in the presence of thousands
point of time, He takes over our life, marking of devotees who had gathered there in front
the end of our fear and anxiety. Baba has said, of Santhi Vedika, our Beloved Swami, after
“You cannot understand My reality either today frequent hiccups and sipping water now and
or even after thousands of years of austerity then, brought out a crystal Lingam from His
and inquiry even if all mankind joins in the
effort”. continued on page 28...

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Mesmerising Moments with the

Divine Master*
Rani Subramanian

M
y daughter once asked
Swami a question: “Swami,
You have been so good
to our family; we want the same grace
always; how can we continue receiving
Your grace”? He used to call us very often
for interviews, and would come and talk to
us in our rooms. It was very special. Swami
replied, “You see, you are not getting grace by
coming to Puttaparthi or having My Darshan;
but, if you hold on to My teachings, you will
get Sampurna Kripa (complete grace). Hold on
to My teachings and not to Me”.
You see, if we are sad, despondent, and
upset, we cannot do our best – Sadhana-
wise. He said, “You must have a cheerful and
So, these are all very profound matters.
happy feeling all the time to do anything, and
People limit Him to His physical body which
you must get inspiration to do that. When you
He is now trying to change. See, that is why
get inspiration, you feel good. That is very
we get disappointed. We feel “Oh! Swami
necessary – always”!
did not talk to me”! Swami says, “One who
Awakening the Inner Guru has understood that I am Antarayami (the
In another interview in Prasanthi Nilayam, I indweller) is really wise”. “I am listening. Don’t
had asked, “Swami, I don’t do any work for Sri you believe it”? He asks. Though we don’t hear
Sathya Sai Seva Samithi in Chennai; is it right His voice, He is listening alright. When we are
or wrong? As Your devotee, should I go and ready for Him, He will talk to us from inside.
offer my services”? He replied, “Sathya Sai! So many devotees have got that experience.
Sathya Sai! You have not understood Me, Rani It is up to us to work up to that stage of
Maa! I am not just Sathya Sai. The whole world consciousness: “Follow Me implicitly. All the
is Me. Wherever you do good work, it reaches time, be aware of My presence everywhere
Me! It is high time you realised it. Why do you so that you will not hurt anybody. When you
limit Me to Sathya Sai only? Be wherever you are aware of My presence, I will start working
want to be; but do good work. Wherever you through you and make you do the right thing”.
are and whomsoever you do the good work Suppose I feel like being rude to somebody or
for – Rama, Krishna or whatever – it does not I am not in the right frame of mind, before I
matter at all. It will reach Me only”. actually react, my second thought will be: “No!
* Continued from July 2021 issue.
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Mind your own business; do not say anything; of no use. If you want to read, read the lives
be quiet”! of saints – Christian saints or Muslim saints
Swami has said: “The closer you are, or Hindu saints. They have gone on the path;
the more distant I will become physically”! they have done the spiritual journey; their
That is one of His signs. Baba says. “When path is very clear; they have known the pitfalls
I am close to you in the spirit, I will be very and the obstacles. Their life will indicate all
distant to you in the body because you have the problems to you and how they ultimately
recognised My true nature. That is what I have came to be a good example”. So, while Swami
come for. My main Mission is to awaken the has been constantly guiding us, we have to
inner Guru. It starts with the outside Guru, but practise as much as we can. But I find that this
the outside Guru leads you to the inner Guru”. path is difficult and we have a long way to go.
That is the purpose of Swami’s Mission! Prasanthi Nilayam – the Abode of Eternal
Being a Guru, it is His duty to lead you to that. Peace
He has not come to give you worldly things! He I was once engaged in a conversation with
is removing you from the world. He is giving all a lady at Prasanthi Nilayam. She said her
that to you because you are not yet ready for reason for coming to Puttaparthi was to be
what He really wants to give you. Gradually, healthy. However, she was very dissatisfied
He will bring about disappointments. And when with what she had received. I said, “You aren’t
you will get fed up, He will give you all sorts recognising what you are receiving here!
of experiences and you will say: “Oh! I don’t Swami is giving you health – spiritual health”!
want these things; I am not getting anything He has promised peace that surpasses
out of all that”. That state of mind He will surely all understanding; peace that one derives
bring. He will make things very difficult for you from divine love. Such peace is permanent,
in the world. So, you will not start liking the unshaken by circumstances. This is not any
world. You will think: “I better get away from all temporary peace that makes you happy when
this Samsara (worldly life)”! somebody is kind to you and unhappy when
That is one indirect way of teaching he/she is not.
us Jnana (wisdom). The world cannot give The same truth is recorded in our ancient
us anything. Only sorrows, problems and scriptures. In the Bhagavadgita, the Lord
disappointments. Why am I after it? These said, “He is My true devotee who transcends
thoughts have to come from within. Swami the pairs of opposites” that is, one who is
will give everything we ask for, but the world unaffected by the duality of good and bad,
cannot give us peace. If we think that the world honour and dishonour. One must not pay heed
can give us peace, that is ignorance. The world to these because they exist in the realm of
cannot give us peace is Jnana (wisdom). delusion. Swami says, “You are all in slumber,
If you have understood that, it is enough; I have come to wake you up”!
then you should start to work on it. Swami had Once He said to me: “Rani Maa, as far as I am
once told us: “You don’t have to read too much. concerned, there is no problem. Problem is an
Read whatever is necessary for inspiration”. error in perception; you are seeing something
He forbade us to read too many books. He that is unreal. You are above problems, but you
instead said: “Different authors will only are not realising this fact because you have
confuse you with their contradictions. Great not reached that state of consciousness yet.
philosophical and intellectual discussions are You are therefore day dreaming that you are

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the body. All your experiences contribute only But Swami said, “No, no! There is no
to your body consciousness. You are judging peace here. Do you know where peace is?
every experience from the level of the body. It is in the inner self. Prasanthi Nilayam will
Swami has not descended to help us with help you struggle righteously to achieve
problems related to your body consciousness. that peace. Struggle is needed here as well.
Tomorrow a certain illness or tragedy may It is not as if once you come to Prasanthi
befall you – it, however, belongs to your body Nilayam, everything in your life gets sorted out
consciousness”. automatically. You have to work on yourself
It is delusion or what we refer to in Sanskrit with your knowledge. Swami gives you that
wisdom; but you have to practise it. It is similar
as Maya or Moha. What is this illusion or
to going to a school or college where the
attachment that Swami alludes to? It is nothing
teacher teaches you but doesn’t do the work
but ignorance that happiness and sadness are
for you”.
related to our real self. It is this ignorance that
Swami has come to uproot. He is an Avatara Know that He is the Divine Master. The
Purusha (divine incarnation); He is not like purpose of His advent is not to give us paltry
other Gurus. Once Swami told a group of things though He will give us whatever we
devotees including me, “Don’t think that by desire. He once told me, “Rani Maa, I will give
you whatever you ask for, but that will not give
coming to Puttaparthi, you are going to be very
you peace. If you want peace, ask for peace
happy. But if you secure your victory here, you
itself; leave the rest to Me. Say, 'God, I want
can go to any part of the world and nothing
permanent peace, I don’t want anything else'.
will ever disturb you. Lord Krishna gave the
That is surrender. True surrender is when you
immortal message of the Bhagavadgita on the
don’t want anything other than peace. You
battlefield because life is a battle. And when
run after so many things – money, position,
you are victorious in battle, what do you get?
power, etc., because you think they will grant
Peace! Similarly, when you transcend the
you peace. But despite this, you are perturbed.
difficulties here with equanimity gained by the This is because Jnana (wisdom) is missing”.
knowledge of who you really are and what the
That is why Swami calls the Ashram at
world really is, you will receive that permanent
Puttaparthi ‘Prasanthi Nilayam’ and not ‘Sri
peace which I have come to give." This is why
Sathya Sai Baba Ashram’. You have to make
He named it ‘Prasanthi Nilayam’ – the abode
the effort, the Shrama. He can only help you
of everlasting peace.
and guide you to face the ups and downs
Many years ago, my daughter’s mother- effectively. All you have to do is ask Him for
in-law wanted to settle down in Prasanthi that guidance. He once warned me saying
Nilayam. She had become a devotee only after this will be difficult, and then added, “Don’t be
meeting us, and in a subsequent interview with scared. You pray to me: ‘Swami, don’t test me
Swami, she happened to be present. On that too hard, I may fail’. (How does He know my
occasion, she expressed to Swami her wish innermost prayers? I did not verbalise them
to reside in Prasanthi Nilayam. Swami, then anytime to Him!).
asked, “Why do you want to stay here? You “Why are you so scared of the struggle?
have two sons, live with them. Who will take This is wrong. When I give you the challenge, I
care of you here”? She replied, “Swami, here, also give you the strength and wisdom to face
I get peace”. it. You should say ‘Swami, test me as much

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as you want, but give me victory’. When you Leave the Results to Him
are fighting a battle, what do you ask for? Do In the Bhagavadgita, it is said that you have
you say I want a gun, a sword and so on? You only the right to act and not to the result. The
just say, I want victory! Therefore, ask for that result is in His hands and we don’t control the
peace.” result. So, the right thing to do is to leave the
You have come to Puttaparthi seeking result to Him, so that He grants us the fruit of
that peace; so, ask for that peace. But being the action at the right moment.
householders, something or the other keeps The message that Swami conveys is this:
bothering us now and then, and we are forced “When you come to Puttaparthi, you will meet
to ask Swami to help us tide over those many people, some good and others bad. You
difficulties. Sometimes, Swami responds might get a good place to stay for one day and
immediately to alleviate them, at other times an uncomfortable location the next day. But all
He does not. these should not affect you. You have come
However, always ask for things that conform to the Ashram for your inward journey. Do not
to Dharma or righteousness. Things which do look for peace outside. It is within you; so,
not conform to this will not be entertained by look within. If you think there is peace freely
Him at all. Even in the case of desires that available in Puttaparthi, it means you have not
understood the subject. This is the Jnana, the
are within the bounds of Dharma, He chooses
knowledge that you should know”.
whether the desire uplifts us or not because
He is the Guru. Mind, sometimes, plays tricks on us
but it is also helpful in acquiring wisdom.
Once in an interview, He told us that
Therefore, we must train our mind. This is
whatever good you wish for, will be granted.
what is mentioned in Karma Yoga (the path
But He decides the right time to grant our
of action). After mastering the mind, one can
wishes, because He knows what is good for
move to Jnana Yoga (the path of wisdom), and
each of us, and knows our past, future and
then to Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion). Till
present. In the spiritual path, patience is a then our devotion is not complete. Devotion
key requisite, so we should patiently wait for is complete only when we have wisdom.
Swami to grant us our wishes. This is pointed out in the Bhagavadgita
I have a direct experience with respect to as well. With Jnana (knowledge) you
this. My husband was very reluctant to stay in must perform Dhyana (meditation), and
Puttaparthi. He said that he could not relate with Dhyana you must develop Phala
to the place and wanted to leave the Ashram. Thyaga (renouncing the fruit of action).
During one visit, at the very last moment, in the Awakening our Conscience
evening, I said, “I will not leave Puttaparthi, and Once in Whitefield, Swami said, “Rani Maa,
if you so wish, go and live with the children”. I I have come to awaken the inner Guru. Don’t
kept praying all night that it would be good for depend on the external Guru. Pray to me thus:
him to stay in Puttaparthi and imbibe His aura. ‘Swami, please become my inner Guru. Tell
I prayed to Swami saying that if He wanted me what I should do from inside and I will do it’.
to keep him here, He could; I completely Then I will surely guide from within you”. There
surrendered the problem to Him. The next should be no ‘me’ and ‘my’. It should become
morning to my utter surprise, my husband said Swami’s completely. As soon as the feelings
that he had decided to stay in Puttaparthi. He of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ arise, we enter the realm of
stayed in the Ashram till his last moments. ignorance in that instant.

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Swami says, “There are to be no Carnatic music) and the like. But He said, “It
likes and dislikes. The duo of Raga and doesn’t matter, you sing a Bhajan”. So, I began
Dwesha (attachment and hatred) should to sing a Bhajan that came to my mind at that
be transcended”. Irrespective of whether moment.
someone is lovable or not, we must love The next day when I went, Swami wanted
everyone. We should understand that the me to sing the same Bhajan again. The
person is acting ignorantly because of his/ third day was no different. I was getting a bit
her body consciousness, and therefore, take frustrated of singing the same Bhajan because
pity on him/her as the one who has not yet I was not paying heed to the meaning. So, I
understood the Atma principle. We must have asked Swami in front of everyone, “Swami,
compassion and pray for such people. We I know many Bhajans, shall I sing another
should understand that Swami is the indweller one”? He said, “No need! I want you to sing
of every being, and therefore not hurt anyone. this Bhajan alone”. We can never understand
We should not compare and judge people. Him of our own accord. He has to reveal
By doing so, we are buying sorrow. When we Himself to us. Trying to understand Him is like
take that path, even Swami will not help us counting the grains of sand on the beach.
because we are taking the wrong path. Once After a few days, He called a few ladies
when I said to Him, “Swami, I want to be a upstairs to clean His room. About five of us
good devotee”, He said, “It is very simple, all went up and while I was busy cleaning, I heard
that you need to do is to obey Me. No books Him sing, “Rama Nama Japanaaree...” the
or scriptures can help. Only the Guru can take same Bhajan that He had asked me to sing
you through the spiritual path”. Obedience to a few days ago. I was a bit surprised and
the Guru is a very important trait in a spiritual started to tell myself “I have had enough of
aspirant. This can take a person very high. that Bhajan. Why is He boring me with the
It should not be such that in some matters same Bhajan”? I turned and looked at Him; my
we obey Swami, and in others we take our face was a question mark. He said, “You are
own decisions. Surrender to Swami must be wondering why I am singing the same Bhajan,
complete. He has promised us liberation if right? I am singing this again and again
we practise this kind of surrender. Liberation because it has the essence of knowledge. If
is nothing but freedom from our body you can assimilate that knowledge, there is
consciousness and ego. The feelings of ‘I’ and nothing more you would need to do. You would
‘mine’ constitute the ego. have attained your spiritual goal”. Till then, I
The Bhajan Lesson had not realised that I had not paid attention
Two years after Swami moved to Prasanthi to the meaning of the Bhajan. I did not
Nilayam, we were still in the Old Mandir and realise it then, but later, while ruminating on
used to come to Prasanthi Nilayam for Bhajans. it, I realised that Swami wanted me to take a
On one occasion, during the Bhajan session, great and profound lesson out of that Bhajan.
He asked us to stop singing. I was sitting very The meaning of that Bhajan stressed on
close to Him. Looking at me, Swami asked, “Do the Advaita (non-dualistic) principle, which is
you sing”? I replied in the affirmative, and what Swami wanted to point out to me. The
added that I did not know Carnatic music and meaning is more important than how good
can sing only Hindustani. I was of the view that the Tala (rhythm) is! The meaning of the Kirtan
He liked only Thyagaraja Kirtans (based on goes like this, “Chant Rama’s name always,

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oh human! As long as you are breathing, not always available; when you wake up, the
this place is yours (Jab Lag Yah Swaas Tan dream is no more.
Bheetar, Tab Lag Yah Jag Apna Re)! As long Similarly, when we awaken to our true self,
as you are breathing you say ‘my money’, ‘my the dream ceases to be. Swami says, “Awaken
place’, etc. But once breathing stops, nothing to your true self, the world which is bothering
is yours”! you, will cease to exist”. It took me quite
Then it says, “Mother, father, children, sometime to completely understand this song.
Now, I repeat this song wherever I am asked to
relatives, etc., are only your own
talk. This is the essence of what Swami taught
imagination, Kalpana. The whole creation is
me two-three years after I came to Puttaparthi.
only imagination; it is a projection of your mind
I came here in 1950. So, it has been more
which does not really exist. It is delusion. All
than half a century. This song I must have
relationships exist, but they are only relatively sung in 1954 or so. So, it has taken me a lot
real, not in absolute terms. You are only of Sadhana (spiritual effort) to go inward and
playing a role”. Kalpana means you imagine really understand it completely.
a role and play it. It is not true. It further goes, (To be continued ...)
“You will have to leave your kith and kin. Jhooti
Courtesy: Sri Sathya Sai Media Centre
Jagat, Kalpana Saari, Aakhir Yah Jag Sapna
– The author, a devout and dedicated
Rey! (In the end it is only a dream)”. The end
devotee for nearly sixty years, came to
does not mean one is going to realise it after
Bhagavan Baba as early as 1950. She was
death. That took me a while to understand. He
called ‘Rani Maa’ by Bhagavan. Her life was
said, “You will awaken from that day dream a treasure-chest of scintillating experiences
when you realise life is a dream”. Dream is of Swami’s Divinity.

... Continued from page 22

mouth amidst a thunderous applause. Holding suddenly it grew darker and heavy downpour
it in between His fingers, He showed it to millions started. Then I heard a strange creeky sound
standing in front of the Mandir. Thereafter, He from the wheels. When I looked at my elder
sat down on the chair for some time. Bhajan son, who was driving the vehicle, I realised
was in full swing and after about 45 minutes, that he had lost control of the steering and
during which He regained composure, stood brakes had failed. The car overturned and we
up and retired to His residence. were hanging upside down. We all cried out to
Swami’s assurance ‘why fear when I am the merciful Swami for help in our desperate
here’ is not a hollow promise as it has been moment. Hearing our loud cries, natives came
evidenced by the experience of a number of around and helped us get out of the vehicle.
His devotees. We had a harrowing experience Strangely, all of us escaped unhurt and none
in the year 2001. We were proceeding to of us was injured. Only Swami’s Abhayahasta
Pondicherry (Puducherry) on a personal visit. and abundant grace had saved us from what
In our car, my wife and I were seated in the could have been a total disaster. He has told
back seat while our second son was in the that He would not let down His devotees under
front seat. It was a bright sunny day and any circumstances.
there was no sign of impending rains. We – The author is an old-time devotee of
were driving at a speed of 60-70 km/h when Bhagavan from Kochi, Kerala.

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B HAGAVAN ' S S R I K R I S H NA JAN MAS H TAM I M E S SAG E

SRI KRISHNA'S LIFE AND MESSAGE

Sweeter than sugar, tastier than curd, sweeter indeed than honey is the Name of Rama.
Constant repetition of this sweet Name gives one the taste of divine nectar itself. Therefore,
one should contemplate on the Name of Rama incessantly.
(Telugu Poem)

DEVELOP THE SENSE OF SPIRITUAL ONENESS

Embodiments of love! of this phenomenon cannot

I
t is easy to be denied by anyone at any
criticise or belittle time or place, whether he is
the Leelas or infinite a Vedantin or a scientist, an
potencies of God. But it is engineer or a man of the world.
very difficult to comprehend While this has enabled people
the truth about the Divine. to describe the Divine, it has
not served to demonstrate
The omnipresent Divine is
God. But they were able to
present both in Truth and
indicate the means by which
untruth. He is present both in
one can experience God.
Dharma (righteousness) and
Adharma (unrighteousness). Experiencing the Power of
He is present in good and the Divine
evil. With regard to such an A distant star like the
all-pervading Divine, how can Dhruva Nakshatra (Pole Star)
anyone determine what is can be pointed to someone
good and what is bad? by reference to some
nearby physical object like
From the earliest
a tree. Likewise, the Vedas
times, people have been
and scriptures, while not
proclaiming what is Divine. demonstrating the Divine,
That the Divine has a form have helped to indicate the
and possesses innumerable path leading to the realisation
auspicious qualities of the Divine.
was declared from their
The spectacle of a dense
experiences. forest confers delight. The
The cosmos functions on sight of a tall mountain excites
the basis of three types of wonder. Seeing the torrent in
actions. Creation, sustenance a river one rejoices. All these
and dissolution are the are evidences of the power of
three processes. The truth the Divine.

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The stars shine. The planets revolve. The replied: “Mother, am I a child or a silly brat or
sun blazes forth. The wind blows. All these a crazy fool to eat mud”? In this way Krishna,
are signs of the Divine at work. When you even though he was a child, was affirming
see the spark of a fire, you can infer the His divinity indirectly. The Divine teaches
nature of fire. If you know the nature of a drop profound lessons to mankind in this indirect
of water, you can understand the nature of manner. God’s actions should be understood
Ganga. Likewise, if you understand the nature not by the external events but by their inner
of the atom, you can understand the nature of meaning. Moreover, many changes in the
the entire cosmos. Recognising this truth, the ordinary ways of living are necessary to
Upanishads declared: “The Divine is subtler understand the ways of God. Adi Sankara
than the atom and vaster than the vastest”. indicated in the Bhaja Govindam song how
The human is indeed a manifestation of the even a brief experience of the Divine by a
Divine with numerous potencies. It is the Divine devotee fills him with ecstasy. This bliss can be
that shines effulgently in every human being. got only through the Atma. The experiences of
But, because of his attachment to the body, he the Gopikas and Gopalas of Brindavan during
is unable to develop attachment to the Atma. Krishna’s early years at Gokulam have been
Recognising the omnipresence of the misunderstood and misinterpreted. Krishna
Divine in all things, the quest for Truth should was in the village for five years only. It is absurd
be undertaken. What is the Truth? Where is it? to suggest that a five-year child behaved in an
How to search for that which is everywhere? objectionable manner. After going to Mathura,
A distinction must be made between an Krishna did not return to Repalle.
apparent fact and the unchanging Reality. To ascribe anything improper to the pure
In daily life the sun appears to “rise” and and Divine life of Krishna is sheer blasphemy.
“set” everyday, but in reality these apparent The true nature of the Divine has to be fully
phenomena are due to the movement of the understood. Divinity is the all-pervading
earth a round itself and the sun. Likewise, Cosmic Consciousness present in all. The
what is apparently true about you, as is inferred nature of this consciousness should be
from external observation, is not the real you. It understood. It is Chit, which illumines every
is the effulgent Divine within you. object in creation. Chit illumines what exists
The spiritual quest involves the churning and thereby makes it cognisable. Existence
of the heart by meditation. The qualities like is Sath. Cognisability is Chit. The combination
compassion emerge from the heart. The of Sath and Chit confers Ananda (bliss). This
human heart, which should be an ocean of Ananda is thus the very nature of every being.
milk, has been turned into an ocean of brine The Divine pervades everything inside and
now infested with creatures like hatred, lust outside. Awareness of the Divine will confer
and greed. bliss. But few are able to realise this.
Krishna’s Leelas Experience of Ananda
The childhood episodes relating to Krishna Man aspires for Ananda (bliss) in the world.
have an esoteric meaning. For instance, when Vedanta defines Divine Ananda as Yoga.
his mother, Yashoda, chided Krishna for Yoga is usually considered as some form of
eating mud (as alleged by Balarama), Krishna breathing or physical exercise. This is not the

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true meaning of Yoga. Yoga means Ananda or that has to be attained. By observing these
bliss. Wherefrom can this bliss be got? Only three, bliss can be realised. What is it that has
from the One who is the embodiment of bliss. to be known? What is this world? How long will
It cannot be got from possessions of any kind I live? We see many passing away. Coming
or from position or power. Bliss can only be got and going are continually happening. When
from God, who is the embodiment of Bliss. the transient nature of the physical world is
How is this bliss to be got? This can understood, bliss will be realised.
be explained with reference to the single- Next, what is it that you have to give up?
minded devotion of the Gopikas and Radha. The delusion under which what is unreal is
The Gopikas have been misunderstood and considered real and what is real is treated as
misrepresented by commentators. Gopikas unreal. People consider that they are in the
symbolise thoughts. Radha symbolises the grip of Maya and that they are caught up in
combination of all thoughts in the mind. So, misery. Misery has no limbs to hold you. It
thoughts and the mind should merge in Krishna, is you who are hugging misery. This is due
represented by Prajna in a human being. That to your ignorance. When you get rid of this
is the significance of the Vedantic declaration, ignorance, you will experience bliss.
Prajnanam Brahma. This Prajnanam pervades We have to Go Back to our Source
every part of the human body, the mind and the What is the goal you have to reach? You
intellect. It is constant integrated awareness. have to go back to the source from which
All our thoughts, desires and aspirations you came. You have come from the Atma
should be merged in this Prajna. and you have to return to the Atma. This is
When this Prajna (constant integrated what the Upanishads sought to convey when
awareness) is present in all beings as the they declared: Asatoma Sadgamaya (lead
Divine (as Brahman), what is the need, it me from unreality to reality). Where there is
may be asked, for the descent of Avatars? truth, untruth exists as its shadow. Tamasoma
There are reasons for the advent of Avatars. Jyotirgamaya (lead me from darkness to light).
There are two kinds of perceptions, namely, What is darkness and what is light? Light alone
Pratyaksha and Paroksha (direct and indirect). exists. Darkness is only the absence of light.
There are also two kinds of potencies: internal Discovering the light leads to the elimination
and external. For example, there is fire within of darkness. Mrityorma Amritamgamaya (lead
a piece of firewood. It is only when the fire me from death to immortality). Birth and death
latent in it is brought out that it can be used are incidental to the body alone. Your Self has
for cooking. Likewise, everybody is like a piece neither birth nor death. What is born (the body)
of firewood. The Atmic principle is latent within dies. Death relates to the body and not to the
it. To make it manifest, some form of love has Atma. The Atma is eternal. It is the truth. You
to be practised. Just as you have to strike a have to acquire this awareness to experience
matchbox to produce fire, Love has to merge lasting bliss. To experience permanent bliss
in Love to experience the Divine. one has to develop firm faith in God.
If people today wish to achieve spiritual The Distinction between Krishna and
bliss, they have to follow three principles: Rama
First, they must know what has to be known. Today we celebrate the birthday of Krishna.
Second, they must give up what has to be Where was He born? In a prison. What were
renounced. Third, they must reach the goal His possessions? Nothing. Born in a prison, He

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was taken to the house of Nanda and then He said in fun or did as a prank was based
went to Mathura. He owned nothing. But He on truth. Krishna never indulged in untruth
became the greatest figure in the world. What even by way of a joke. But those who could
does this show? Worldly possessions are not not understand the inner meaning of His
the secret of greatness. Krishna’s greatness statements used to accuse Him of lying. This
consisted in His permanent state of Ananda kind of misunderstanding has been a disease
(bliss). in all Yugas (ages).
If you recognise the distinction between When a Gopika complained to Yashoda
Krishna and Rama, you will appreciate better that Krishna had entered the house of a
the nature of Krishna. Krishna always smiled cowherd at night and played some mischief,
at the outset and carried out his task later. Krishna pleaded before his mother how he
For Rama, the deed came first and then the could have gone out anywhere when he was
smile. Krishna made women cry. Rama wept sleeping beside her. The truth was that
for the sake of women. Rama went into the Krishna was in both places because of His
battle only after having a strong cause for it. Divine power. Krishna displayed any number
Krishna first provoked the conflict and then of such baffling miracles. (Bhagavan sang a
determined its outcome. The Krishna principle series of songs about the complaints of the
revels in delight. The Rama principle is based Gopikas to Yashoda against Krishna). Against
on the concept of Badhyatha (obligation). The each complaint Krishna had a convincing alibi.
Ramayana is intended to promote the reign Indirectly, Krishna was revealing His Divinity.
of Truth and Righteousness on earth. The Krishna explained to His mother the ways of
Krishna Avatar was intended to give a perennial the Divine in a way she could understand.
message to the world. He sought nothing for
Krishna used to visit the houses of the
Himself. He kept nothing for himself. He gave
cowherds and drink curds and milk. The
away everything to the people. He slayed
symbolic meaning of this action is Krishna’s
His maternal uncle, Kamsa. He installed on
preference for Sattwa, represented by the
the throne Kamsa’s father Ugrasena. He
pure white curds and milk.
did not covet the kingdom. He befriended
the Pandavas, defeated the Kauravas and Krishna explained to Yashoda the reason
crowned Dharmaraja as the emperor. He did why He preferred the butter in their homes
not make himself king. He was a king without to the butter offered by Yashoda. The hearts of
a crown. He was the king of kings. He had the Gopikas were pure and filled with selfless
no kingdom of his own. But he ruled over devotion to Krishna. Their devotion was
the hearts of the millions. It is this profound superior to the maternal affection of Yashoda,
truth that is proclaimed by the Krishna Tattwa which bore a taint of selfishness. Krishna told
(Krishna principle). If you enquire deeply, you Yashoda: “I am attracted to the hearts of those
will find that every Avatar has incarnated to who are pure and selfless”.
convey a special message and carry out a Follow the Footsteps of the Lord
particular mission. Krishna had always eluded the Gopikas
Krishna’s Divine Power after playing His mischief. But once, out of
The Gopikas used to complain to Yashoda compassion for them, He wanted to provide a
about Krishna’s pranks. But whatever Krishna clue by which they could trace Him. One day,

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they all lay in wait round their houses to catch divine music, play it on Your enchanting
Krishna. Krishna went into a house stealthily, flute, and captivate me with Your melody.
broke a pot of milk and quietly hid Himself. The Sing, oh Mukunda! Sing for me!!
Gopikas found that He had broken the pot (Telugu Song)
and tried to trace Him. The milk white steps
Krishna took out His flute and played on it
which He had left revealed to them His hideout.
and when Radha closed her eyes, He threw it
Then, Krishna revealed to them the spiritual
away. He never touched it again. He dedicated
truth that if they cling to the feet of the Lord,
the flute to give delight to Radha.
they realise Him. “Follow My footsteps and you
shall find Me,” Krishna told the Gopikas. Thus, all the mysteries of Krishna served
to relieve the distress of the devotees. Krishna
In the Bhagavata, the lessons you learn
used all His powers to serve the devotees.
are according to the state of your mind. To
When the purport of the Bhagavata stories
understand the glories of the Lord as related in
is properly understood, one can realise the
the Bhagavata, you have to enjoy the Leelas
Divinity of the Lord.
(divine pranks) of Krishna and realise their
inner meaning. For instance, the real meaning In the life of Mirabai, for instance, when
of the story about Krishna taking away the Rana sent to Mira a cup of milk containing
clothes of the Gopikas while they were poison, Mira drank it as an offering to Krishna.
bathing is that to realise the Lord they have to The result was Krishna absorbed the poison
abandon the attachment to the body, which is and left the sweet milk alone for Mira. By
the vesture of the Spirit. These stories should making an offering of all that you eat to God
not be treated in a spirit of levity or profanity. before p a r t a k i n g it, the food gets purified
Krishna Dedicated the Flute to Delight and sanctified.
Radha The Gopikas were illiterate and totally
In the case of Radha, Krishna churned her innocent. But their love for Krishna was
heart and gave her the nectar of Divine unalloyed and exclusive. Even while engaged
bliss. Radha had no attachment to any of her in their daily activities, their thoughts were
kith and kin. (Swami sang sweetly a song centred on Krishna. Hence, they experienced
of Radha expressing her grief over separation indescribable joy.
from Him). Krishna appeared before Radha Devotees should cultivate unity,
before she gave up her life and blessed transcending all barriers of caste, creed and
her. God will give anything for the devotee nationality. Krishna's mystery and miracles are
including Himself. No one can equal Him in beyond words. He was all things to all people.
the sacrifice He will make for the sake of the He is the indweller in the heart of everyone.
devotees. Krishna asked Radha what she There is no room for religious differences.
wanted at the last moment of her life. Radha Students should resolve themselves to restore
said: “I don’t want anything except to listen to the pristine glory of Bharat by leading ideal
the music of your flute once before I pass on”. lives. Proclaim the message of unity to the
Oh Krishna! Sing a sweet song, and fill my whole world.
heart with nectarine words and bliss. Distil – From Bhagavan’s Sri Krishna
the essence of the Vedas, transform it into Janmashtami Discourses.

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AN EVENING ON THE SANDS

I
t was nine years ago, on a quiet He said, "I am the servant of all", and I was
November day, that I had the first thrill really excited by His unbounded love. “You can
of the "Evening on the Sands". All those call Me by any name, I will respond without
who were at Prasanthi Nilayam that day anger, because, all names are Mine! Or rather,
gathered to follow Baba to "the sands" of I have no name at all". Questions were asked
the river Chitravathi a furlong away. Baba about rebirth, about Pranava, Vairagya and for
each question there was an immediate and
satisfying answer.
Then, Baba taught us some songs
which extolled the Lord's Name and which
were saturated with spiritual advice for the
practitioner. Afterwards, the Discourse was
resumed; this time it roamed at random
round Shirdi and the devotees who came
for enlightenment to "My previous body" and
Baba spoke of pictures, now current, of Shirdi
Baba as spurious; while speaking thus, He
dug His fingers into the sands and there was
a picture in His hand, which He showed us all
Bhagavan materialising an object on the as “the authentic representation of Shirdi Sai
sands of river Chitravathi as curious onlookers Baba". Conversation naturally proceeded on
including the author marvel at His creation.
Baba being the Avatar of Dattatreya and Lo,
came down from His room and spreading He dug into the sands again and out came a
joy all around Him with a smile, or a quip or very beautiful metal image of Dattatreya, the
a pleasantry or a kind enquiry, He walked at symbol of unity in trinity. He announced that
the head of the little throng. He trudged along the image would be given to a devotee for
the sands, seeking a place to sit... and, at last, worship and we all felt how blessed he must
we all sat around Him, the men on one side, be to receive this unique gift from Baba. In
the women on the other, the children on the their excitement, everyone had now drawn
circumference, playing with their kind. nearer to Baba and He felt that each of them
Having sat, and having graciously waited should receive something from His hands. He
until all were comfortably seated, including the therefore took out from the sands a thick flat
older among the devotees who took a longer block of sugar candy. He also took a handful
time to plod through the sands, Baba, in reply of sand in His hands and while pouring it on to
to a casual question, began a Discourse on a plate it became sacred ash, Vibhuti, which
Karma, Bhakti. It was in such sweet simple could be distributed to all. Watching all these, I
Telugu, full of interesting parables taken from was overwhelmed by the supremacy of Baba's
daily life. Bhakti without Karma He said “is like Will and by His all-comprehensive love and
a basement without a wall". Karma without wisdom. When at last, we rose and followed
Bhakti is “a wall without a basement". He said, Him to the Mandir, I was a transformed person.
“In My view, there are no Nastikas at all; even – From Sri N. Kasturi's article published
those who deny God are not forsaken by God". in March 1958 issue of Sanathana Sarathi.

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REGD. WITH REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS R.NO.10774/1958 REGN.NO. HDP/002/2021-2023

Licenced to post without prepayment No.PMGK/RNP/WPP-02/2021-2023
Date of Publication: 1st August 2021

Earn Supreme Bliss through

Spiritual Discipline
I am showing you by My example how
you must fill every moment with useful
beneficial activity. You talk among
yourselves, "O, Swami is having His
rest hour; Swami is sleeping". But I have
never craved for a minute's rest or sleep
or relief. Shall I tell you at what time I
feel restful, relieved, content? When I
know that you are all earning supreme
bliss through detachment and spiritual
discipline, not until then.
– Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

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Printed by K.S. RAJAN Published by K.S. RAJAN On behalf of the owner Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division, Prasanthi Nilayam
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Editor: G.L. ANAND
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