Sairam Jairam

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Om Sri Sai RamSAI - OUR DIVINE MOTHER, FATHER, GURU AND OMNIPRESENT GOD -Part -

ILOVING MOTHERSai the Mother is all Love. Here she knows only to forget and

forgive, to tend, uplift and correct. The rod is spared to give a love-lash.

And in that flood of Love pure all dirt and filth inside and outside are washed

off. When it comes to attending Her children she is meticulously careful. They

miss nothing. The way Baba looks after the students whom He claims as the 'only

property of His' will abash even the loving earthly mother. His looks and smile

virtually stroke them with tender affection. Basking in that shine of Love and

enlightenment they also respond almost in the same measure, if not equal, for

who can equal Him in anything? He sits like a proud mother to hear His children

reciting Vedas or delivering a lecture. None is in ecstasy more than Him to

listen to the brilliant academic performance of His children.This love of His

has the same warmth when it is doled out to the elders as well, for whose

mother He is not? Those who have traveled with Him can vouch for this.

Kasturiji, His biographer, who had had the good fortune of traveling with Him

many times says in his autobiography, 'Loving God' that Baba would Himself fill

the cups with coffee from the thermos kept in the car and serve His devotees

traveling with Him whenever the car halted for a break. So is the case with

lunch. And like a loving mother He would insist on their having more of certain

delicious items except where a certain item is harmful for a devotee owing to

certain chronic ailments.Let us listen to a full description of this from

Kasturiji himself from his Loving God. "When He wills a journey by road He

loads the car with hampers heavy with breakfast, lunch or dinner, besides

snacks and fruits in plenty. He scans the countryside to spot a sheltered nook

encircled by blossoms and He finds one soon. The carpet is spread, jugs of

water are brought, hampers are opened, baskets are emptied, plates and cups are

handed out. Mother Sai squats in the center. With exclamations of appreciation,

He places each item of food on the plates held before Him by us - the children.

Devotees dare not say 'Enough' or 'No' on the basis of their digestive

efficiency, allergic alarm, dietary prejudices, etc. They relish whatever comes

from the Divine Hand and consume the quantity He grants. So, Baba decides the

measure and the menu for each. He prohibits, persuades and recommends. "You

have a touch of diabetes", " you are over eighty", "This pickle is popular in

your state", He comments as He fills the plates.Bhagawan too shares the

breakfast or lunch with us; He loves to watch us enjoying the food He gives.

Even while inside the car, He takes out one by one-luscious apples from the bag

He keeps near Him, slicing them with care; He tempts us to eat in plenty. Once

... The skin could not be chewed and swallowed by me since I had a set of

artificial teeth unused to tough tasks. I dared not to spit the stuff through

the window for fear the denture would follow the skin. Swami recognised the

embarrassment, the next slice He handed over to me had the skin removed!"On

another occasion Baba and a few others were traveling by car from Trichinopoly

to Bangalore via Palamaner. On reaching the Forest Rest House at Palamaner at

10 in the night the party had to be satisfied with food from a hotel, which had

not yet closed luckily. But there was nothing to protect them from biting cold.

Kasturiji says, "We were able to persuade Him to use a shawl which the

engineer-devotee was parading his torso at Trichinopoly. Sleep stole into our

eyes in the silence. When I woke at dawn from my bare reed-mat, I found the

shawl keeping me warm from head to foot. Baba, the mother, had tiptoed during

my sleep and gently spread it over me. Baba found me in tears. How else could I

express my good fortune and my gratitude at the lesson He taught us?"When Swami

visited Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) in 1982 a plane was chartered for His return

journey to Bangalore via Jamnagar. A retired Wing Commander of Indian Air Force

was requested by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of Madhya Pradesh to pilot

the aircraft. There were seven others in the plane other than Bhagawan and the

pilot. During the flight Bhagawan took seat in the cockpit and, peeling an

orange Himself, started giving petal after petal to the Pilot with great love.

But the pilot after one or two politely declined more in the usual way of

courtesy, for he did not realise the stature of the Giver at that time - an

action he repented for with moistened eyes thereafter. Bhagawan also graciously

created a gold ring with nine precious gems studded on it as a memento for him -

a priceless possession for anyone.When sick or injured, His loving care has a

feather touch. During the African tour of 1969 the car in which Kasturiji and

Raja Reddy were traveling met with a small accident and Kasturiji was injured

with minor wounds. In his inimitable style he says:"The East Africa tour

enabled me to secure two priceless gifts of Grace. The first was a car accident

in which I received a few injuries, which drew on me for full seven days the

shower of tender affection from Sai, the Mother. I had long cherished a desire

to be nursed through an illness by Swami. The African continent conferred that

boon on me."It is not that He showers His motherly affection only on the

devotees around Him. Time, space and distance cannot come in the way of His

compassion or motherly concern. The author of Anyatha Saranam Nasti narrates an

incident: "One night He was lying on his bed and was talking to us, when He

suddenly fell down. His body looked like a small bundle that was twisted and

tangled. After some time. He was in great pain . He was still in some world .

He opened His eyes and asked a devotee to massage His body. Baba then said :"A

lady was in labour. I just made a trip to America. The baby in the womb was in

breach position and could not come out. I entered the womb, turned the baby

into the correct position, blessed the child and the mother after delivery and

now I have come back." RESPONSIBLE FATHERSai as Father is a strict

disciplinarian. He brooks no mercy for those who cross the limit He has

prescribed whether it is in the Sai Organisation or among general

devotees."Following My instructions without demur is the best plan while

engaged in service or Seva; it is wrong to yield to lower craving or to follow

one's own impetuosity. I dislike flippant talk, frivolous prattle, casual

conversation and even face to face grouping of men and women, at all times and,

more specially during spiritual gatherings and occasions. You must be models of

straight and courteous behavior." Baba directs. Many so-called 'close devotees'

had to leave the Mandir at short notices whenever they crossed the Lakshman

Rekha marked by Him. But He will never have any ill will towards them. All that

He wants is to make them look inward and correct themselves for their own good.

Kasturiji admits of a bad habit he had had of using frequently the expletive

'idiot' for expressing displeasure even without much of a provocation. Baba

once admonished him rather harshly "Don't cause injury to anyone's

self-respect, intentionally or unintentionally" and this practice was virtually

erased.As Father Sai He grooms His devotees far and near. During a halt at the

residence of one of the devotees, a young man in the group asked the host for a

glass of buttermilk. Baba unexpectedly entered the room detected the empty glass

on the sill of the window. With patriarchal authority he pointed out the

mistake, as it must have caused inconvenience to the host and advised all to be

satisfied with whatever was given or served and to keep our urges under check.

He also gave tips on table manners and insisted on the need to desist from

asking for second helpings.In order to discourage and dissuade His devotees

from carrying on with certain bad addictions that have assumed chronic

proportions over a period of years Baba sometimes expresses His displeasure

about it in general terms within their hearing as the first dose of treatment.

If they do not give up such bad habits with such oblique references then He

will directly deal with them.Kasturiji was a snuff addict for three decades

when he traveled with Baba to Rishikesh and other places of great spiritual

importance. So he had stored enough of that stuff that would suffice for

considerable period. One night while camping at the Ashram of Swami Sivananda,

Baba came out of His cottage in the Ashram complex and straightaway walked into

the dormitory where Kasturiji and five others were preparing for sleep. Swami

Sadananda and Satchidananda accompanied him. Baba came near Kasturiji's cot and

turned the pillow over to expose the snuffbox. Baba looked at him sternly and

said only one word "Dirty". Kasturiji in great remorse and embarrassment took

it and threw it away, and touching Baba's feet assured Him "No more Swami, I am

giving it up from this moment". The immediate reward was a soft pat. The

harshness or roughness of Baba intended to correct anyone at all times has an

undercurrent of perpetual love which makes an everlasting impact on the

corrected.SAI MAHAVAKYASThe Proper Study of Mankind is ManMan is the basic unit

of Mankind. So it follows that he should be the epitome of the ideals that

mankind stands for. How can man epitomize mankind? By spontaneously revealing

the divine qualities of Love, Compassion and forbearance in perfect harmony in

his thought, word and deed. In other words he should be a perfect example of

his species.Work is Worship, Duty is GodAny work undertaken with dedication and

selflessness ie, without any expectation of reward becomes worship when it is

offered to the Lord as an offering. All work is God's work. When one belongs to

God how can his work belong to another? When one discharges his responsibility

with a sense of commitment to one's own Self - the God seated in every heart

that performance becomes verily God.Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of

ManHumanity has to be seen as a single race. Just as a beautiful garland is

made up of flowers of various hues size and fragrance strung together the human

race is also made up of men and women of different complexion and languages.

Again, just as a garland is strung together by one thread, which is common to

all flowers, the human beings also have the same Atma or life force as the

core. This obviously means that a common binds all humans on the face of earth

bond and therefore are brothers, east or west, black or white. This common

factor called Atma has its origin in Brahma or Brahman or God. Hence, the

Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.Hands in Society Heads in the

ForestHere hands stand for service and head for mind of the humans. Service to

society is the bounden duty of everyone. And such service (Seva) has to be done

selflessly, without expectation of any gain or reward. In other words, it has to

be done with complete detachment. If the hands are to be engaged in Seva in a

spirit of detachment and disinterestedness the mind should be completely free

from desires. Freedom from desires means cultivation of Vairagya (detachment).

Forest stands for Vairagya and head for the mind, which has to be cleansed of

desires that cause attachment and selfishness. When the mind is thus cleansed

the individual can do any amount of Seva selflessly for the welfare of

society.My Life is My MessagePreaching is easy; but to practice the same is

difficult. For this Bhagawan Baba refers to a Drill Master for example. While

all other teachers only teach the Drill Master demonstrates also what he

instructs the students. Man must put into practice what he professes himself

first. Then only he has the right to advise others. Bhagawan Baba lives every

syllable of what He preaches to His devotees from daybreak to dusk. So, such an

ideal life becomes a practical lesson and therefore a deep-going Message to His

followers who need only remember what He does throughout the day.Miracles are

My visiting cardsWhat is natural with the Miraculous is miracle for the

ordinary. Man cannot easily identify or recognise Divinity as he is enveloped

in Maya or ignorance. He has to be woken up and told of the Advent of an Avatar

who has come for His upliftment. Hence just as many of us present our identity

card or visiting card to a stranger the Lord has to draw our attention to the

Superhuman Power of the Avatar so that we would listen to Him. It is like a

call attention notice. Once the identity is established, He can convey His

Message. But He has not to make any special effort for this, as what He does

naturally and spontaneously will look miraculous to us.You cannot always

oblige, but can speak obliginglyThis applies both to the material and the

spiritual world. One cannot be in society without mutual help and societal

obligations. But very often one may not able to extend help in solving the

problems of a brother or a sister because of personal limitations. In such

cases one must, without losing balance, explain the position in an

understanding way so that the one in need will be able to appreciate it. Such a

situation often occurs while undertaking Seva activities by the Sevadal. Where

discipline does not permit you to comply with somebody's seemingly genuine

request, one has to convincingly explain the position in minimum words so that

the other party will feel satisfied and properly attended. Soft, short and

sensible talk satisfies everyone.Hands that serve are holier than lips that

prayWhat is the use of spending long hours in prayers and meditation behind

closed door when one's neighbour is helplessly groaning in pain? Such prayers

will certainly fail to be responded by the Lord. What is expected of a human

being is to leave the prayers and rush to attend to the one in pain. It amounts

to the God in you rushing to the help of the God in that person, since Manava

Seva is Madhava Seva. That is how one should visualise God - the God in

everyone. Wiping a tear or rendering help to alleviate the misery of a brother

is much holier that reading the scriptures or repeating Vedic mantras as the

former is a selfless act while the latter is a selfish one.The end of education

is character; the end of knowledge is wisdomWhen the knowledge acquired by

reading and studying is analysed and pondered upon it develops into wisdom,

granting an inner vision. The same knowledge can be converted into skill by its

practical application. For example, values are understood and stored in memory

as knowledge, but when applied in daily life it becomes a skill in the service

to society. And the spontaneity of their application brings refinement in an

individual resulting in good character, which really is the end of

education.Money comes and goes, Morality comes and growsMoney is known for the

evanescence. It appears and disappears like a cloud. It never stays with anyone

for all times. Still it can easily ensnare man in its web, as without it one

cannot exist. But enamored by its glow and the comfort it offers man thinks

that it has come to stay. But like passing clouds it disappears leaving its

possess or still under illusion as he tries to obtain it more and more by fair

or unfair means. In direct contrast is morality. Once one begins to adhere to

the moral principles they permeate his life in every field of activity. Every

exercise of its application gives a boost to its luster and growth with the

result morality becomes ingrained in its votary as a permanent asset.Help Ever

Hurt NeverThis is the quintessence of the eighteen puranas authored by the

great Vyasa. Every being is a spark of the Divine that accounts for the

totality of this universe. Hence there is an unseen bond between human beings.

So, helping another would mean helping oneself. It becomes the bounden duty of

all to help each other. Conversely it is a sin to harm anyone. It amounts to

harming oneself. 'Paropakaraya Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam', it is said. That

is, it is meritorious to help others, but it is a sin to harm anyone. Under no

circumstances one should think of harming another - in thought, word and deed.

Hurt is not inflicted only bodily; it can be by harsh words as well. The wound

caused by words cannot be healed, as it remains etched in the mind forever.

Hence, one should never hurt another even if one cannot offer any help.Love All

Serve AllOnly when one loves all, one can serve all, i.e., offer service without

any discrimination. One who loves you is bound to be loved in return normally.

But what is important and expected of us is to love the one who does not love

us. This needs the awareness that there is a bond between all of us and the

dislike is only superficial and momentary. All are embodiments of the same Atma

and hence related inseparably. It is this awareness that underlies the urge to

offer selfless service to one and all without any consideration of separateness

based on any distinction. Offering help to another amounts to serving oneself.

Because, by doing so one is only relieving oneself of the pain or discomfort

that has afflicted him at the sight of the suffering of the other. In fact,

only the body sheaths are different, the core is one and the same.Life is a

Game Play ItVictory and defeat are the duality natural with any game and life

is no exception. But as one takes it in a spirit of sportsmanship in the case

of a game, in life too, the ups and downs should be welcomed with equanimity.

But the possibility of victory can be worked up in the case of the game of life

by selecting better and more powerful teammates. In life the fight is between

the good six and the evil six. No doubt the evil six, namely, lust, anger,

greed, attachment, pride, and jealousy are highly skilled ones. But, the good

six, namely, truth, righteousness, peace, love, non-violence and sacrifice

always have an edge over the opponents because of their inherent virtue. So,

life can be steered to success provided our teammates are the good or the

desirable six. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo BhavaThese

Vedic injunctions virtually provide the pillars of Indian Culture. Bharat

considers mother as the first God to be revered, as she is the one whose care

and sacrifice are responsible for our birth and growth. It is on the lap of the

mother that one learns the alphabets and the basics of one's conduct. It is she

who teaches the child to walk and talk and the fundamentals of social life.

Naturally she deserves the first place of reverence and adoration. She tells

the child of its father, who, as provider of wherewithal for the family,

occupies only second place in the hierarchy of veneration. The father in turn

takes the child to the Guru or Preceptor who trains him in morals, ethics and

the scriptures for a meaningful life. And it is the Guru who tells him about

God and his relationship with the Almighty. So mother first, father next,

preceptor later and God last and Ultimate - that is the order of reverence

expected to be offered by everyone. Praying Hearts, Serving HandsEvery human

heart is a temple. And in the altar of the temple is seated the Lord, the

source of Love Energy that sustains the individual. It is not love alone that

is housed there. Compassion, patience and forbearance also find a place there.

In fact, heart is the origin of these divine qualities that charge human

feelings with a sense of sacrifice, prompted by which the hands go out into

action of charity and help to alleviate the sufferings of our brethren.

Wherever and whenever selfless service is offered a heart filled with

compassion and love must be behind that service. And for the Lord seated

therein their prayerful offerings are the unfading flowers of Love, Compassion,

Forbearance and Sacrifice.Character is the Most Precious Gift of

EducationBhagawan Baba repeatedly tell all His devotees in general and students

in particular that 'if wealth is lost nothing is lost; if health is lost

something is lost; and if character is lost everything is lost.' Character

constitutes ninety per cent of a man's personality whether it be in the field

of social life or leadership. And it is the function of Education to bring

refinement in an individual making all the facets of his personality shine

providing him an impressive (not only physical) personality. Wherefrom can the

shine come for a good personality? It is by the harmonious blend of the five

human values that lie embedded in every individual. So the purpose of education

is to bring out those sterling qualities that alone can gift good character -

the hallmark of true education. Swami calls this process 'edcuare' i.e., an

education that takes care of the innate basic qualities, which are divine in

content but lying hidden in an individual. And that is the most precious gift

of education. Example, Not Precept is the best Teaching Aid'Example is better

than Precept' is an old adage that conveys more than what it looks to imply.

While discussing pedagogy, Bhagawan Baba often mentions the example of a Drill

Master who not only instructs but physically demonstrates also. If the teacher

is an ideal person, fifty per cent of teaching can be presumed to have been

done. The young students whose eyes and ears are wide open, observes their

teacher from all angles - how he looks, how he behaves, not only in the class

but even outside. This total impression makes a strong background for teaching.

If the teacher maintains lofty ideals, his exhortation goes deep into the hearts

and minds of the young ones. He will be adored and emulated. And, that exactly

is the purpose of teaching. It is not to doll out what is written in the book

that a teacher is meant for. He has to set an example before the young ones. In

other words he has to be the embodiment of virtues rendering his designation

meaningful.On Himself"I have come not to disturb or destroy any faith. But to

confirm, each one in his own faith, so that a Christian be a better Christian;

a Muslim be a better Muslim; a Hindu be a better Hindu " In truth, you cannot

understand the nature of My Reality either today, or even after a thousand

years of steady austerity or ardent inquiry even if all mankind joins in that

effort. But in a short time, you will become cognisant of the bliss showered by

the Divine Principle, which has taken upon itself this sacred body and this

sacred name. Your good fortune, which will provide you this chance, is greater

than what was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even

personalities embodying facets of Divine Glory! Since I move about with you,

eat like you, and talk with you, you are deluded into the belief that this is

but an instance of common humanity. Be warned against this mistake. I am also

deluding you by My singing with you, talking with you, and engaging Myself in

activities with you. But any moment, My Divinity may be revealed to you; you

have to be ready, prepared for the moment. Since Divinity is enveloped by

humanness you must endeavor to overcome the Maya (delusion) that hides it from

your eyes. This is a human form in which every Divine entity, every Divine

Principle, that is to say, all the Names and Forms ascribed by man to God, are

manifest! Do not allow doubt to distract you; if you only install, in the altar

of your heart, steady faith in My Divinity, you can win a Vision of My Reality.

Instead, if you swing like the pendulum of a clock, one moment devotion,

another moment, disbelief, you can never succeed in comprehending the Truth and

win that Bliss. You are very fortunate that you have a chance to experience the

bliss of the vision of the sarvadhaivathwa swaruupam (the embodiment of all

forms of Divinity) now, in this life itself. Let Me draw your attention to

another fact. On previous occasions when God incarnated on earth, the bliss of

recognising Him in the incarnation was vouchsafed only after the physical

embodiment had left the world, in spite of plenty of patent evidences of His

Grace. And the loyalty and devotion they commanded from men arose through fear

and awe, at their superhuman powers and skills, or at their imperial and penal

authority. But ponder a moment on this Sathya Sai Manifestation; in this age of

rampant materialism, aggressive disbelief and irreverence, what is it that

brings to It the adoration of millions from all over the world? You will be

convinced that the basic reason for this is the fact that this is the

Supra-worldly Divinity in Human form. Again, how fortunate you are that you can

witness all the countries of the world paying homage to Bharath; you can hear

adoration to Sathya Sai's Name reverberating throughout the world, even while

this body is existing-not at some future date, but when it is with you, before

you. And again, you can witness very soon the restoration of Sanathana Dharma

to its genuine and natural status, the Dharma laid down in the Vedas for the

good of all the peoples of the world. The revival of Vedic Dharma is Sai

Sankalpa (Sai's Will), not just drawing people towards Me, attracting them by

the manifestation of My powers and potential. This is not a phenomenon of

illusion. This phenomenon is the one that will uphold truth, uproot untruth,

and in that victory make all of you exult in ecstasy. This is the Sai Sankalpam

(Sai's Will). Sent with Sai love