Guest guest Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 KANSAI LIGHT FOR JUNE 2009 ISSUE # 42--------- KANSAI LIGHT , MAY 2009 ISSUE # 41 News letter of Sri Sathya Sai Organization Japan address: I.S.S, 2nd Fl, 1-3, Kumochi 5-Chome, Chuo Ku Kobe Tel: 078-222-1885, Email: rgcjp ----------------- There comes the Lord into the masses 1. As written at PRASANTHI NILAYAM May 2009 Little children are trained to walk, by means of a walker, which they hold and push along. The Pranava (the sound of "Om") is such a contraption, with the three wheels of 'A', 'U' and 'M'. Holding it, man can learn to use the two feet of Bhakti (Devotion) and Vairagya (Detachment). If he gives up his hold on the Omkara, he plumps down on the ground helplessly. If he walks on with the help of the Pranava Japa (repetition of "Om"), he can certainly realize the glory of the Brahman (God), which is the very substance of the Universe. - Baba -------- 2. the Dramas of Life Divine Dear readers, till the December 2008 issue, in this section we serialized for you “Shirdi Sai Parthi Saiâ€, the glorious saga of Shirdi Sai and the divine life of Sathya Sai till His early childhood. This series continued for 48 episodes, and we received very positive responses to this serial. In fact, now that the script is available, this television serial has been re-enacted as a play in many Sai centres. Encouraged with this, we decided to continue this section and offer something in a similar format. And now, after the Divine Life story of Bhagavan Baba, it is the innumerable dramas presented in the Divine Presence by the students of Bhagavan’s Schools and University, as well as by the Bal Vikas students and Sai devotees from all corners of the world. We hope the current series, which is accompanied with lots of pictures and video stills/clips, will not only make an enriching and edifying reading experience, but also will help devotees everywhere to redo these inspiring plays in their own settings with little effort. So, enjoy these divine dramas where the Divine was a keen spectator and the hidden director! This is part two of ‘Krishna - The Peace Ambassador’. The first part related how the battle lines had been drawn between the Kauravas, who had chosen Krishna’s army, and the Pandavas who preferred Lord Krishna Himself. It ended with the enchanting scene of Lord Krishna bringing bliss to His devotee Vidura by visiting his humble home. We rejoin the play when Dhritharastra, the old and blind Kaurava King, seems bent on ignoring Krishna’s mission of peace, despite counsel from Bheeshma and Vidura to avoid a war. FULL CAST 1) Lord Krishna; 2) Arjuna, the master archer among the Pandava brothers; 3) Suyodhana, the eldest of the Kaurava brothers; 4) King Virata, the king in whose court the Pandavas spent last year of their exile in concealment; 5) King Drupada, the king of Panchal and the father of Draupadi who was married to the Pandavas; 6) Nakula and Sahadeva, the 4 th and 5 th pandava brothers; 7) Bheema, the Great, uncle of both Pandavas and Kauravas who was one of the greatest warriors; 8) Dharmaja, also called as Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas; 9) Dhritarashtra, the father of the Kauravas and the blind king of Hastinapura; 10) Shakuni, the brother of Gandhari, the mother of the Kauravas; 11) Karna, a great archer and a friend of Suyodhana, who was actually the sixth brother of the Pandavas; 12) Vidura, the pious minister of King Dritharastra; 13) Drona, the teacher of Pandavas and the Kauravas; 14) Three characters representing the mind; 15) Three characters symbolizing the Conscience; 16) Kripa, the court priest of Hastinapura; 17) Vyasa, the author of the epic Mahabharata. Click here to go to Previous issue story > > KRISHNA - THE PEACE AMBASSADOR Sports Meet Drama, 2007 SCENE 6DRIVING SENSE INTO DHRITARASTRA Shakuni: Enough is enough. I have decided to retire and return to my kingdom. My presence here serves no purpose. Suyodhana: Mamashree (uncle), what has happened, who has dared to insult you? Shakuni: Who else but you Suryodhana! I had forewarned you about this Krishna. When you had a lion to choose, you chose a flock of sheep! Suyodhana: Krishna. .. Ha Ha ha What does that cowherd know about warfare mamashree, and an unarmed Krishna is no match to His peerless army. Shakuni: Fool, that is what you think. What is a bale of cotton when compared to a lighted wick? Even unarmed, this mayavi (one with many tricks) Krishna is skillful enough to wreck havoc amongst His enemies. Subdue this cowherd and then it is child’s play to slay the herd of Pandavas that flock about Him. Announcement: Emperor Dritarastra accompanied by Gangaputra Bheesma, Acharya Drona and Mahatma Vidura have just arrived. (All rise as the three come in and all of them take their seats) Bheeshma: O King, Vasudeva has finally arrived in an attempt to avert the war. Listen to His voice in solemnity and reverence, and pay heed to His advice. He epitomizes the eternal truth, and so it is no ordinary event that He has Himself come. Weigh His proposal upon the scales of wisdom and find their worth therein. Vidura: Maharaj, Krishna’s visit is not a mere attempt to earn peace. Beyond the compassion of His looks, and the sweetness of His smile, there is a righteous anger that is waiting to be unleashed. O King, save Hastinapur from the wrath of the Pandavas led by Krishna. Suyodhana: Do not squeal such meek words, O minister! The rage of Pitamaha, the skill of Acharya, the bow of Karna and Suyodhana’s mace shall embarrass the Pandavas into mortified muteness…and Mamashree’s brilliance ha ha ha…. shall put to shame Krishna’s acumen.Dronacharya: My son, war is not a game of dice. Your words are but hollow echoes and shameful shadows of a loathsome pride. Let not your greed dig countless graves; let not wild ambition ascend to the throne that rightfully belongs to wisdom. Dushasana: Acharya …Attempt not to beckon slavery from our fierce hearts. War is the only solution for a Kshatriya. Bheeshma: Children, your hearts are goblets of gold, but alas you have chosen to savor the wine of greed and toss the goblet by. Maharaj, Pay heed to my words and give away Indraprastha to the Pandavas. Dritharastra: But… Indraprastha is under Duryodhana’s control. I have no say in this matter. Bheeshma: Your power was a free flying bird but you chose to lock it in a cage and give the silver key to your son. Fie upon his ambitious greed and pride. But it is not too late, stretch and seek Krishna’s offer my son. Dritarastra: My ears were longing to sip that word ‘son’ from your lips father. Bheeshma: Maharaj, we are deliberating on an entirely different issue right now. Dritarastra: But father, I have done all that I could to please Krishna. I have arranged the best of palaces for His stay, assigned a thousand servants to attend His every need, ordained eighteen golden chariots at His disposal… Vidura: Oh King! Krishna cannot be bought by material wealth. Seek not to bribe Him. Shakuni: Ha Alas…I have not seen in the clan of Kuru servants reprimanding their masters….ministers admonishing their kings. Vidura: O King of Gandhar! It is the duty of the minister to speak the truth. The day he justifies the follies of his master be assured that the kingdom is doomed. Maharaj, you may not listen to me but I am bound to you and I will speak only the truth, however harsh it may seem to your ears. Dritarastra: What is all this argument for? Why do you all blame Suyodhana for his greed? It was the Pandavas who lost the kingdom in the game of dice. Bheeshma: Maharaj, let not the attachment for your son overpower your responsibilities. Take pity on the fate of Hastinapur. For a moment, be a king, my Lord; be a King, and not a father. Dronacharya: Maharaj, with Krishna on their side, the Pandavas shall march to victory as the Lords of the world. Dritarastra: You are right Acharya. Let us not incense Krishna by giving scope to insult. Say how shall we welcome Him into the royal court? Will He be given a seat next to me or can we seat Him next to Gangaputra Bheeshma. Vidura: The seating arrangement is not a solution to the war Maharaj. Krishna is beyond honor or insult. He stands for Dharma and Dharma is on Pandavas’ side. It is their immaculate character that binds Him to them. Shakuni: Does that mean that Suyodhana is of despicable character, and so he is not fit to reign as the emperor of Hastinapur! Suyodhana: I have had enough of this nonsense as they have bound Krishna with their so-called love; I too shall bind him with my power. Huh! I shall have Him arrested. Bheeshma: Bridle your tongue to the channel of your hateful throat you foolish brat! Think not of such mean things lest ruin shall seize thee. Then neither Bheeshma nor Drona nor even Brahma can save your soul from Krishna’s ire. Your father then will not have a droplet of tear to wet your ghastly corpse. SCENE 7THE ETERNAL BATTLE WITHIN Manas (mind): O the icons of justice, all my life I have learnt from you to be impartial and just to my subjects. So, it would be unfair to be deaf to their arguments. (Sits on throne with ‘good’ and ‘bad’ on either side) Bad1: Oh Manas! In this freedom that we offer, higher and higher shall rise your fame and even the thunders will echo your name. Untold wealth will adorn your court, and powers that beckon the lord of death himself, will serve your throne. Men will kiss the dust of your feet and gods in awe will bow to thee. Embrace the freedom we offer and you shall change the destiny of the world. Good2: It is bondage and not freedom that they speak of. Power and wealth are a mantle of dust which will mercilessly be dissolved in the flow of time. Their friendship is treason; their pleasures are mere decorations on pain. Their delights are snares and their comforting wisdom is the darkest ignorance. Bad2: Advisors do not dictate, they advise. Good2: Our words are bound with truth and fie on that advisor who cloaks his words with falsehood. Bad3: Oh! Viveka - the great intellect! Let me tell you, Manas is not your puppet. Manas is a master, isn’t he? Good3: Manas, let me warn you. You shall cease to be a master the moment you sell your soul to this ahankar (ego). You will no longer be the mastermind but a mad, wandering beast. Bad1: Ah! What a treachery? He calls you a beast and paints our friendship with treason! Instead, seek my hand and be our master. Countless riches, matchless glory, splendid mansions and dazzling delights I shall confer to thee. We shall make thou the Greatest. Good3: Greatness! What use of the greatness that cannot fight the darker realms of your heart? What use of the greatness that cannot give you peace of mind, cannot make you good? O Manas! Weigh not our words but heed not to their words too. Seek … Seek thy conscience. Bad2: Conscience! A hurdle to all your joys! An illusory binding on your freedom! Isn’t it then mere foolishness to seek the refuge of the conscience? Good1: Conscience! A pathway to eternal joy; an indefinable reality amidst the shadows of unreality. Seek conscience, O Manas! Because conscience is always right. Bad1: And manas is always wrong? Good1: We did not say that. Bad2: Thou art a heap of falsehood. Thou hath spoken in unspoken terms, “Conscience is always right. Conscience will rule forever! And Manas will be condemned to a life of insignificance and eternal slavery.†Good2: There is no greater glory than abiding by the dictates of the conscience. Bad3: Go…Sell thy soul to that glory that barters your honour to slavery. Let the blaze of that ruthless conscience immolate your success and burn away your dreams. Be led by that voice – a mirage of everlasting joy, which binds you in eternal bondage. Good3: The voice of the conscience is the unsullied truth. Truth is the source from which emerges existence and time. It embodies eternity and the rest is but a manifestation in the relentless flow of change. Thus, Truth alone is the ultimate. Conscience, that reflects this truth, is the supreme master. Bad3: Beyond the pleasing reflections of the pond lies the murky slush. O Manas! Delve into the depths of their words and then you shall realise that the unsullied truth is a conspiracy of conscience woven to consume your freedom. Subdue them all and raise your regal mansion upon their ruins. Manas: I see it all now. I am the master. My reason shall decide what truth and untruth are, and not the whims of the conscience. Guide me, ye men to freedom. Good1: Oh manas! Not only have you been blinded but also defeated. Very soon you will be stuck dumb. A time will come when… Good2: Your conduct is a mere mockery of our presence. You will… Manas: Why do I feel my determination shivering like a withered leaf in the autumn wind? Why does my heart thump so hard and fast? A blanket of fear seems to envelop me and … and… everything is dark. And so confused… Krishna: (chants sloka) – Dhyayato Vishayaan Pamsaha SangasteshupajayateSangaat Sanjaaytate Kaamaha Kaamat KrodhobhijaayateKrodhaatbhavati sammohaha Sammohat SmrutivibhramahaSmrutibhramshahaat Buddhinaasho Buddhinaashaat Pranashyati O you fool! Hankering for sense objects and worldly glory has clouded you with attachment and led you to frustration. You are sinking deeper into this mire of delusion and have abandoned your closest allies – viveka and buddhi. Everything looks bleak as you are riding on this royal road of wretched ruin. Manas: Your words are like sharp arrows, pricking and piercing me. Krishna: They are missiles of truth which will shatter your false armour of ego, attachment and delusion. Manas: Who are you? Krishna: Naaham Pashu, naaham manushya, Aham Sathya bhodakaha. [i am neither man nor animal, I am the Teacher of Truth] (removes blindfold) Manas: Who art Thou, the deluge of light? You blind my vision and scorch my soul. Ah! This is not joy, but suffering in guise. Comfort my eyes and help this hapless one. Krishna: (Sarcastic laughter) This is the fate of man today. SCENE 8THE PEACE MESSENGER’S MESSAGE The moment has arrived… the moment of truth. What the blind king and the wayward son decide today is going to decide the future. Peace is inevitable. But will it arrive to the joyful welcome of all, or will it crawl over the dead bodies, into the empty homes as a numbing silence? Will the pull of mamakara (attachment) be stronger than the voice of wisdom? In a few moments from now, Krishna is going to arrive at the royal court of Hastinapur to make His final bid for peace. Let us go and seat ourselves in the front rows, to listen to what is going to happen. Announcement: Dwarakadeesha, Yadukulabusha, Madhusudhana, the messenger of peace, Vasudeva Sri Krishna has just arrived. Vidura: Please do come in Krishna. Krishna: O Great King of Hastinapura, accept the salutations of this emissary of Peace. Dhritarastra: O Madhusudan! Please honour me and glorify this assembly by accepting a seat. Krishna: Pranam Pitamaha. Dhritarastra: O Messenger of Peace, Sri Krishna, what proposal have my beloved Pandavas sent forth. Krishna: O Great Monarch of Bharat and the great men assembled here! I have come here on My own accord as a messenger of peace and a guardian of Dharma and I assure you that which is acceptable to Me will be agreeable to the Pandavas as well. Peace O Maharaj is not a debatable issue. Just the assurance of a victory in case of war should not blind us to the miseries and tears that are an inevitable part of it. The talons of death and destruction shall shred both the sides. With this broader perspective, comes a responsibility of righteousness, justice and peace to this illustrious assembly. O great King! You belong to the lineage of truth and tradition. Time beckons you now to take a decision. Lead the Kuru race embark upon the path of peace, for therein alone is the good of this great land. History will not hold the cunning Shakuni responsible for the game of dice, nor will it debate upon the despicable act of Suyodhana insulting Draupadi for they happened in your court. Now, again it is your call O King! Make no mistake this time. Bheeshma: But Vasudeva! Perhaps no one desires a war. Krishna: If no one desires a war, respected grandsire, then why words like “perhapsâ€. Words like ‘perhaps’ are too feeble to voice for Shanti (peace). O Maharaj! If the Kauravas and Pandavas come together under one banner, there will be limitless glory and man will never know where paradise ends and earth begins. You will be the noblest of monarchs whose magnificence will be sung in the aeons to come. But heavens forbid, if you choose war, who knows upon how many corpses over you will have to weep. Make peace O great King, by returning Indraprastha to the Pandavas. Shakuni: Why alone Indraprasta, let the Pandavas take away even Hastinapura! Long have they roamed the forests…we’ll press their tired feet. O Suyodhana, abdicate your throne. Go…kneel in their presence, kiss the hem of their robes and let history term you as the one of unparalleled magnanimity. Suyodhana: Stop it…this peace proposal is not acceptable to me. Bheeshma: My son! Bathe not your thinking with fleeting emotions. Abhor greed and leave your petty pride. Before you dispose this proposal as an unworthy end, weigh it in terms of greater good. Dronacharya: Beware of the righteous indignation of Dharmaja, the fearsome rage of Bheema and the unparalleled skill of Arjuna. Meeting them in war is utterly foolish. Kripacharya: Let not the clamour of your conscience go unheard. O son! Let not death and desolation rein your clan. Let your people wield ploughs and not swords. Let the sun smile on the green fields and the kingdom rise prosperous in wealth and peaceful in rule. Vidura: Sip these words of wisdom, Suyodhana and be at peace. Suyodhana: Is this my kingdom and my own royal hall? All around I see my own men conspiring against me. Dhritarastra: Speak not of such words my son! They are your elders and well wishers. Suyodhana: Ah! My heart swells with pride for I have so many well wishers…Well wishers who adore my enemies. Shakuni: O wise men. Let me say it loud and clear, none of us are unjust and wrong. Dharmaja participated in the game of dice on his own volition. As per the will of destiny he lost the game and went for exile. Had we lost the game, we too would have vanished into the depths of anonymity. Krishna: Were there any chances of you losing the game? Everyone seated here knows how fair and right the game was. Suyodhana: Krishna, what madness is it to break the kingdom into pieces so as to honour foolish rights? Not alone the five Pandavas; the hundred of us, Bheeshma, Vidura and Vyasa too have rights over the kingdom. Would it then be advisable to divide the kingdom into individual rightful shares, ignoring the interests of my subjects? Their well-being is my utmost concern. Krishna: Rare are the kings like you Suyodhana whose ears are deaf to the voice of their conscience but open to the woes of their subjects. Anyway, if you cannot give back the Pandavas their kingdom, then at least part with 5 villages, Avisthal, Varkasthal, Makandi, Varnavrata and any other village of your choice. Suyodhana: Haah!... Krishna, You are asking me to give those villages, which I have gifted, to my relatives and friends. Is it possible? Is this the way you make a proposal? And now you will taint me as an emperor who could not part with even five villages. Five villages! Tell them even a speck of land needed to place the tip of a needle will not be granted to them. Krishna: Mistake not their silence for submission and their humility for meekness. The wise seldom speak but when they speak, time itself would stop to hear their words. The powerful are always humble but once they are enraged, the heavens themselves would shudder. Karna: Krishna! Have you come on a peace mission or are you trying to terrorize us. The Pandavas will be scattered like a herd of frightened deer when I romp like a bloodthirsty tiger amongst them. Krishna: Boast not of your valour, O Karna. The world has not yet forgotten how you fell into unconsciousness in the face of Arjuna’s arrows in the war against Virata. Tell your dear friend that gruesome would be the sight to watch poor Dushasana’s blood dripping from Panchali’s tresses. What a pity it would be to see the emperor Suyodhana moaning helplessly on the battlefield with his thighs shattered by Bheema’s mace. Hear O Ahamkari (egoistic) Suyodhan! If you pursue this path of greed, even Gandhari will have no tears to wet your corpse. Suyodhana: Ah…You speak of my mother’s tears! You cowherd, you are a messenger of peace…otherwise… Krishna: Otherwise? What would you do? Suyodhana: I would rip your tongue and bind you for life in the dungeons. (All react) Krishna: Can You? Realize that you are nothing but a mass of ignorance garbed in greed and misguided by revenge. Your valour, wealth and strength are but plumes of smoke that even a single breath can blow away into nothingness. Try to bind me if you can.Suyodhana: Guards, arrest Him… AFTER VISHWAROOPA DARSHAN Krishna: O ye men! Know that you can capture Me only through love, for I am not the body. I am the one residing in every atom of this universe. Every atom embodies me. Seeing me everywhere, at all times is the true Vishwaroopa Darshan. Vyasa: To be touched and yet not be moved, to be moved and yet not understand, to understand yet not experience, to experience yet not transform. There cannot be a greater folly. The blind king committed this folly too. Standing face to face with his own self, he wasn’t able to see, understand, experience and transform. Bheeshma: 7000 years have passed and we find ourselves in a similar position, we stand face to face with our Cosmic Reality. Vidura: We have a choice, whether to continue to be blind, or to open our inner eyes and behold the cosmic reality that manifests itself in every form. Let not this opportunity go waste. Krishna: O Lord! O Vasudeva! O Sai deva! We are ready. Please open our eyes so that we can see, experience and transform ourselves into thee. Final Song --------- 3, SATHYA SAI SPEAKS Noble Mothers: The Key to a Great Nation Ideal Mothers It was because Aryamba was a devoted and pious woman, and observed sacred practices that the great world-teacher, Adi Shankaracharya was born to her. For Vivekananda to achieve worldwide renown, his mother's sacred life was responsible. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was able to preach the sacred doctrine of love to the world and achieve greatness because of his mother's good qualities. Gandhi earned the appellation of "Mahatma" (great soul) because of the sacred "Kokila Vratha" observed by his mother. Gandhi's mother used to observe everyday a vow ritual known as "Kokila Vratha". As soon as she completed the ritual, she would wait for the call of the Kokila (the Indian cuckoo) to have her breakfast. However, on one day, she waited for a long time, without taking food, for the call of the cuckoo. Noticing this, the young Gandhi went out of the house, imitated the cooing of the cuckoo, and then told his mother, "Now, that the cuckoo has made its call, please, mother, take your food." Unable to contain her grief, the mother slapped on the cheeks of Gandhi and wailed: "What sin have I committed that such a liar should be born to me! What a great sinner am I to have begotten such a wicked liar as son, Oh Lord!" She shed tears as she spoke. Deeply moved by his mother’s words, Gandhi made a promise to her: "In my life, henceforth, I will not utter falsehood." In those days, the mothers used to watch the behaviour of their children and strove to keep them on the right path. Gandhi became a 'Mahatma' because of the severe punishment meted out to him by his mother. As Is the Seed, So Is the Plant Mothers of those days led a pure and pious life, cherishing sacred thoughts, fostering virtues and setting an example to the world. If the mothers are good, there will be no room for bad behaviour by the children. Although parents may appear innocuous like fig fruits, they are responsible for the misbehaviour of their children, like worms inside the fruits. "Dear son, do not be concerned about worldly education. One should study that which frees him from death. Only spiritual knowledge can lead to immortality. It is enduring. Worldly knowledge is temporary. For earning one's livelihood, worldly education is necessary. But this education should be acquired only to lead an independent life, with limited desires. Therefore, dear son, while pursuing studies, embark also on the spiritual quest." There have been many mothers in the world who have sought, by their strenuous endeavours, noble thoughts and sacred practices, to bring up their children in the path of righteousness. In the city of Calcutta (now Kolkota), there lived a mother and his son. For the education of the son, the mother made many a sacrifice. She, however, impressed on the son one lesson: "Dear son, do not be concerned about worldly education. One should study that which frees him from death. Only spiritual knowledge can lead to immortality. It is enduring. Worldly knowledge is temporary. For earning one's livelihood, worldly education is necessary. But this education should be acquired only to lead an independent life, with limited desires. Therefore, dear son, while pursuing studies, embark also on the spiritual quest." Human Life Should Be Used For Service In this manner, the mother taught her son the true aim of education. The boy completed his education and took up a small job. One day, in that village, there was a folk festival. The womenfolk of the village donned their best clothes, and jewellery to attend the festival. The mother also went, but with tattered clothes. The son could not bear to see that sight. He said: "Mother, you have no good clothes or jewellery. I am distressed to see you like this. Please let me know what ornaments you wish to have, mother!" She replied: "This is not the right time. I shall let you know at the proper time." The Three Ornaments Sought By the Mother Thanks to the good behaviour and diligence of the lad, he rose to higher positions in service. Once again, he returned to his mother and asked what ornament she desired. "I shall get them as fast as I can," he said. The mother told him that she wished, three ornaments, but she would disclose what they were later on. The son, in the course of years, reached a very high position. Once again he entreated: "Mother, I now have some money. Please let me know what jewels you would like. I shall get them for you." The mother said, "Dear son! I am now not in a state when I can wear jewels. "However, there are some ornaments in which I am interested, and I shall tell you what they are. Drawing the son nearer to her, she said, ‘In our small village, I am grieved to find that the children have to go to distant places for education. "The first ornament I desire is that you should set up a primary school in the village. Secondly, our people have no facilities for medical relief even for small ailments. I spend sleepless nights thinking about their plight. "When you set up a small hospital for the village folks, it will be your second ornament for me. The third ornament is something, which you have to do by yourself. In the days to come, your reputation may grow. "If anybody asks, 'Who is your mother?' you may mention my name. Your conduct must be such that you will uphold your mother's name. You must share with others the benefits of the education you have received. Do not go after wealth. The worshipper of mammon will not yearn for God. The seeker of God will not seek wealth. Observance of this is the third ornament I desire from you." The young man who heard these words from his mother, and later became famous and earned the people's esteem was none other than Eshwar Chandra Vidhyasagar. He earned a great name in the city of Calcutta. "You must share with others the benefits of the education you have received. Do not go after wealth. The worshipper of mammon will not yearn for God. The seeker of God will not seek wealth." Eeshvar Chandra's mother shed tears of joy when she realised the great fame her son had achieved. "Having begotten such a son, my life has been redeemed. It does not matter what happens to me hereafter," she said to herself. The Moving Tale of a Mother and Her Son In this manner, from ancient times the relations between mother and children have been hallowed as a result of the purity, virtue and integrity of the children. The relationship was full of love, mutual esteem, intense devotion and nectarine sweetness. The children had deep love for the mother. It is because of the pampering of the children in all sorts of ways by the mothers that the children tend to go astray. After the Burma war (in 1940s), a mother and her son came to Madras as refugees. This son used to go out begging for food, and bring home whatever he could for both of them to eat. Seeing the pathetic condition of the young one, the mother said that from the next day she herself would go out for getting food, leaving the boy in the shed. Moreover, no mother would like to see her son going out as a beggar. So, she decided to go out herself. For some days, she did this, but could manage to get only a small amount of food. She gave the food to the child and starved herself, but told him that she had already eaten. After some time, the woman was too weak to go out for begging. The son started again and kept feeding his mother. Her condition deteriorated every passing day; she could not bear the pangs of hunger. The son went out and begged for food at an officer's residence. The gentleman, who was glancing through the day's newspaper, heard the boy's cry for food. He brought some food and gave it to the boy and asked him to eat it in his presence. The boys said he would not eat there, but take the food home. The officer questioned him why he would do that when he was so hungry. "You are not really hungry. You are lying," shouted the officer. The boy was too weak to stand and dropped down at the feet of the officer with the food in his hands. The gentleman noticed that the boy was muttering some words to himself. He went close to the boy's mouth and heard him say: “First for mother, first for mother." Saying those words, the boy passed away. Mothers are Living Gods The nation needs noble mothers who lead an exemplary life. They should manifest in their life the great culture of Bharath. Then, that culture will be transmitted to their progeny. These days, fathers, instead of chastising children who take to wrong ways, pamper and encourage them. Children who misbehave should be severely dealt with. Youth today are forgetting God, revelling in sensual pleasures and ruining their lives. They have no reverence for the mother or the Motherland. After the war in Lanka, when Rama was entreated by Vibhishana and others to crown Himself as the ruler of Lanka, Rama told them that ‘Mother and the Motherland are greater than Heaven itself’ and nothing on earth would tempt him to give up his love for Ayodhya. Only when there are good mothers and good sons, will the nation be free from troubles. Otherwise, the nation will break into pieces.... What the nation needs today is not material prosperity or high education. It needs men and women of character. How many today are observing the great teachings of Rama regarding love of the Motherland? Once Rama told Sita, while they were staying on the Chitrakoota mountain, that as a few could comprehend the subtle principle of Divinity, people should adore their parents as the visible embodiments of God. Only when there are good mothers and good sons, will the nation be free from troubles. Otherwise, the nation will break into pieces. This is the lesson of the Mahabharatha where the wicked Kauravas brought ruin upon their entire clan by their evil ways. What the nation needs today is not material prosperity or high education. It needs men and women of character. People should develop faith in God, have concern for the good name of society, cherish fear of sin and dedicate themselves to Godly activities. Then, the nation will enjoy peace and security. Every mother should be regarded as an embodiment of the divine. Then, every son will enjoy peace and prosperity. ~ Divine Discourse on Easwaramma Day, May 6, 1993 4. Disease Disappeared by Sai Baba's Touch Once all kids of Chhotubai i.e two sons - Madhukar and Ashok and daughter - Parvati were attacked by deadly disease (since the disease name is in rustic gujarati language, i could not find out exact english word ). Out of them Madhukar and Parvati got relieved, but Ashok's condition was most serious. Doctors had left hope of Ashok's survival. Chhotubai sat near Ashok's bed stead doing Naam Jaap of Sai Baba. In this way four days and four nights passed in continous Naam Jaap with only one aim of her son's survival in mind. At last Chhotubai's strength of doing continous Naam Jaap broke and while doing Naam Jaap she fell asleep for few minutes. Sai Baba appeared in her dream and said, "Why are doing so? How can your strength decline? Malik is there to look after Ss. You dont worry, thick black clouds will soon vanish. Your son will wake up at 6:30 in morning. He will ask for food. You dont keep any fear in your mind. You give him whatever he asks to eat". Time passed and as per Baba's words in dream, at 6:30 am, Chhotubai's son woke up and asked for food. She gave him food with full faith in Baba. After few days, Madhukar was hail and hearty as before. In another instance, Chhotubai's son Madhukar was suffering from typhoid. The boy's mother had faith in Baba and was very sure that Baba will take due care. So there was nothing to worry. But Chhotubai's sister's faith trembled and she took a vow that as soon as the boy recovers she will take him to Shirdi for darshan of Sai Baba. Madhukar recovered after 14 days. His aunty had decided to take him to Shirdi within five days of his recovery. But Madhukar had became very weak due to ailment. It was difficult for him to sit erectly on floor. But his mother and aunty were curious to pay off debt of Sai Baba. Doctors had advised not to give any physical strain to Madhukar. Both sisters did not pay attention to doctor's advice and started for Shirdi. After leaving Dadar, Madhukar's health started declining. Madhukar caught fever again. Now Chhotubai and her sister were in dilema. They thought if anything worse happens then people would blame them.Both started remembering Sai Baba's name and continued throughout their journey. Madhukar was in semi unconscious state. When they reached Kopergaon station, once horse-cart driver peeped inside window and asked them if they wanted to hire tonga. No sooner did the boy heard the voice of horse-cart driver, he regained senses and sat without anyone's support and said, "Have we reached Baba's Home? Now let me sit". Chhotubai touched Madhukar's body and realised that fever had vanished. She asked Madhukar to lie down and rest. But he did not listen to his mother's plead and requested to allow him to sit. Chhotubai took Madhukar in her lap and after sometime they reached Shirdi. They went directly to Dwarkamai. Baba took Madhukar in His Hands and asked him to stand by raising both his hands. With Baba's grace and Holy touch Madhukar was able to stand erectly without anyone's support. Baba said to Chhotuba, "People will not blame you now". Baba gave banana to Madhukar to eat and then a mango. In this way Madhukar's disease was uprooted from its root by partaking these two fruits. Gods of heaven also started praising Madhukar's fortune that he was given banana and mango consecrated by Baba's touch. Such is love of Baba for His devotees and He is always ready to run to His devotees to help them, whether called or not !!! © Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories -----------------CONVERSATIONS WITH SAISatyopanishad - part 15:Direct Directions from the Divine Dear Reader, In response to your positive feedback to this section where we have a conversation with the Divine, we continue with Prof. Anil Kumar’s ‘Satyopanishad’ following Dr. John Hislop’s series ‘Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’ that ended in January 2008. This series is also in the question-answer format that many devotees prefer, and has answers from Bhagavan on topics as wide ranging as the origin of evil, the goals of human lif, and aspects of God – embodied and formless, to price hikes, women’s liberation, vegetarianism, and the generation gap among people of the present times. Published in two parts by the author, these volumes have 270 questions in all, which are neatly grouped under separate chapters. In this issue, we begin the fifth chapter: 'Concepts' Chapter 5: Concepts (Continued from the previous issue) Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! We hear about pancha koshas, the five sheaths, the pancha pranas, the five vital airs, and panchendriyas, the five organs. Do they cover our spirit, atma? Are they obstacles to atmic bliss? What exactly is their position and role in our body? Bhagavan: The whole world is made of five elements: Earth, fire, water, air and space. Man is the product of these five elements, besides his temperament. Raga or attachment, dvesa or hatred, and bhaya or fear, originate in akasa, space. Our breathing process, movements like walking or other body movements are due to vayu, wind. Hunger, thirst and sleep are the effects of agni, fire. Phlegm, blood, bile, urine, etc., are the outcome of jala, water. Skin, muscles, bones, nails, hairs, nerves are of prthvi, matter. Therefore, all the five elements are equally distributed in everyone. No one can truly be considered superior to any other. The human body has five sheaths, the Pancha koshas. The first one is annamaya kosha, the sheath of food, the second is pranamaya kosha, the sheath of life, and the third is manomaya kosha, the sheath of mind. The fourth is vigyanamaya kosha, the sheath of knowledge and finally anandamaya kosha, the sheath of bliss. One sheath encloses the other. You know rice grains are enclosed within husks. Therefore, a rice grain is within the sheath of husk. For the tamarind seed, tamarind pulp is the sheath. An embryo is within the sheath of its mother's womb. Annamaya kosha is a sheath which covers pranamaya kosha. This encloses manomaya kosha, the sheath of the mind. This covers vigyanamaya kosa, sheath of wisdom, which finally encloses anandamaya kosa, the sheath of bliss. Annamaya kosha is the product of food. The body is annamaya kosha. You have all the behavioural tendencies that result from the food you eat. Then, you have pranamaya kosha composed of the five organs of action (the karmendriyas), and five life breaths, pancha pranas (prana, apana, vyana, udana, samana). Then comes manomaya kosha, the mental sheath consisting of five organs of perception (jnanendriyas), and the mind, which is full of thoughts and counter-thoughts. The fourth is vigyanamaya kosha, the sheath of knowledge, of sound, touch, form, taste and smell, which constitutes the buddhi, intellect. Everyone has an equal right to know and experience the atma, self. To attain such an awareness, self-enquiry is very necessary. However, an intense and deep desire is essential to know and experience atma The innermost sheath is anandamaya kosa (sheath of bliss). In order to enable yourself to experience this state of bliss, you will have to practice all that you theoretically know and do what you are supposed to. Likewise, you should understand the principle of samatva, equality, and ekatva, unity, and experience daivatva, divinity. This leads you to a state when you will not hate anyone. Everyone has an equal right to know and experience the atma, self. To attain such an awareness, self-enquiry is very necessary. However, an intense and deep desire is essential to know and experience atma. Just like a seed within a fruit, as a copper wire within a plastic covering, butter in milk, sugar in the sugarcane, oil within sesame seeds and fire in wood, atma is encased within pancakosas, pancendriyas and pancapranas (five life sheaths, five sense organs and five life principles). Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! We come across words like manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), citta (consciousness), and ahamkara (egoism). How are we to understand and correlate them? How do they differ from one another? It is our good fortune that Swami explains in simple ways, terms ever so complex. Bhagavan: Here is an illustration. Consider a Brahmin. When he conducts ceremonies like weddings, you call him purohit, priest; when he reads out from the almanac at your home the tithi, lunar phase, the varam day of the week, naksatra, star, etc. you call him the pancanga Brahmin; when he prepares food in your home, you call him the brahmin cook. Another illustration. Your wife addresses you in Telugu as emandi, (Oh, you! Please, Sir!) because addressing the husband by name is not considered proper. Your child calls you 'Father' and your student addresses you as 'Sir'. But, you are, after all, only one individual, aren't you! One and the same faculty has different names: manas or mind when engaged in thinking; chitta or awareness in a state of equanimity devoid of plans or decisions; buddhi or intellect while exercising discrimination; and ahamkara or egoism when introducing oneself or referring to oneself as 'I'. All these are one, but named differently according to their function. What is to be controlled is the mind. When you have that nigraham (control), you obtain God's anugraham, grace. Once you consider something as evil, do not allow it to enter the mind. The behaviour of trees and animals is regulated by prakrti, Nature. Only man is disobeying the commands of God and has become depraved. There is only one solution. What is to be controlled is the mind. When you have that nigraham (control), you obtain God's anugraham, grace. Once you consider something as evil, do not allow it to enter the mind. The behaviour of trees and animals is regulated by prakrti, Nature. Only man is disobeying the commands of God and has become depraved. There is only one solution. Another little illustration: Tie up kamadhenu, the wish fulfilling cow, of your body with the pasha, rope, of prema, love, to the post called nama, chanting the Name of the Lord. That is enough. You gain control over the mind. Then, on the chitta, awareness, devoid of the turmoil of thoughts, is imprinted the form of God. Buddhi undertakes fundamental discrimination; the 'I' which has been egoistic cognises its own true nature as atma and realises the innermost Self in all beings. This is adhyatmika, spirituality. Prof. Anil Kumar:Swami! You stress chittasuddhi, purification of our heart, but how is one to accomplish it? Bhagavan: You are mistaken here. Chitta, heart is always pure. So, where is the need for its suddhi, purification? You only pollute it. Take for example, this kerchief. This is white in colour. It becomes dirty as I use it. I give it to a washerman to wash and return it. When he brings it, it looks white and bright as before. It was so before and it is so after a wash, but it was dirty in between due to use. The washerman did not paint the kerchief white. He only removed the dirt. So too, like a kerchief, your mind is also pure which becomes impure due to your desires and thoughts. Once you remove the impurities from the mind, it will become pure. So chittasuddhi means ‘exercising control over desires’. Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! Swami! Now it is clear that chittasuddhi is lacking in us due to our bad thoughts and bad deeds. We have certain weaknesses, lapses, bad qualities and thoughts. As you have said unless we get over them, chittasuddhi cannot be attained. The mind gets polluted very often. How is one to control bad qualities? Bhagavan: It all depends upon your determination and your understanding of the intensity and the gravity of the problem. It needs an honest and sincere attempt on your part. A small example: You are moving freely without any hesitation and fear in this room. There lies a rope in one corner. But, if you come to know that it is not a rope as you have been thinking it to be, but a snake, would you move freely in that room any longer? You know that it is dangerous to be anywhere near a poisonous snake. You know that you will die if that snake bites you, and so you keep off from that place. Similarly, when you are aware of the danger or harm you will be put to, you will definitely stop your misdeeds You keep on holding the rope till you know that it is just a rope. But once you realise that it is a snake, you drop it down immediately, because of the fear of death. So long as you think that these bad thoughts and evil deeds make you happy, you continue to be in the same frame of mind. But, when you know that they are dangerous, you will not hanker after them. Therefore, first of all, you must identify your own bad qualities and then give them up gradually, one after another, until you are perfect. It is also strange to notice that some seekers undergo rigorous discipline for a set period of time during which they lead a perfect life without any trace of a bad quality. But after that avowed period of discipline they resume their previous bad habits with redoubled vigour. This is a big mistake. That which holds you for some time is artificial. Here, withdrawal from bad habits is not due to the realisation of the evil effects. So long as you think that these bad thoughts and evil deeds make you happy, you continue to be in the same frame of mind. But, when you know that they are dangerous, you will not hanker after them. Therefore, first of all, you must identify your own bad qualities and then give them up gradually, one after another, until you are perfect. Here is an example. You see the ceiling fan rotating there. Now, if you switch it off, it will not stop rotating immediately. The three blades stop moving slowly. Therefore, in full knowledge of the possible harm and the evil effects, you should give up your bad habits slowly. Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! Pranayama (breath control), some say, is important on the spiritual path. Would you please tell us about it? Bhagavan: Pranayama, breath control, has to be undertaken in an exact and perfect way under the care and guidance of a Guru. It leads to danger if it is done imperfectly and irregularly. There are chiefly three steps in pranayama or breathing exercise. The first one is purakam, inhalation. The second is holding the breath or the air breathed in; this is called kumbhakam, retention. The third stage is exhalation or rechakam. The important point here is that, the time taken during all these three stages must be equal. It means that the time taken for purakam must be the same as for kumbhakam. Similarly, the duration for kumbhakam must be the equal to the time taken for rechakam. In the human body there are shadchakras, six life sustaining points on the vertebral column. The lowest is called muladhara chakra, fundamental, primordial life sustaining point at the bottom. In pranayama, during the second step, kumbhakam, (that is, holding the breath), kundalini starts moving upward being restless due to the lack of supply of air across the sadchakras. On the top lies sahasrara chakra (region of the head). There exists a jyoti, divine light, surrounded by dalas, petals. A living being taking too many breaths per day is short lived. A dog takes many breaths; so, its life span is short. Snakes and mongooses take a few breaths per day; they live long. The breathing exercise has an influence on the life span. The sahasrara chakra is like a thousand petalled lotus flower. If one has daivi sampatti, divine qualities, the jyoti starts touching the petals. Thus, kundalini affects the human body during this course of sadhana. A living being taking too many breaths per day is short lived. A dog takes many breaths; so, its life span is short. Snakes and mongooses take a few breaths per day; they live long. The breathing exercise has an influence on the life span. Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! It is said that we carry with us certain traits, vasanas of the past life. Is that true and how does it happen? Bhagavan: Certainly so! Just as in accounts the balance is brought forward from the previous page to the next page, the traits of the previous life are brought forward to the present. When you light an incense stick or an agarbatti or camphor, don't you get the fragrance all over this room? When you have a fragrant flower, does it not spread its fragrance? Similarly, bad odour or foul smell also spreads. So also, the characteristics of the past lives are brought forward to subsequent lives. Prof. Anil Kumar: Bhagavan! How is it that we have vasanas, traits of the past life? We are born, we grow and die. The body is bound to weaken, wither, die and decay. How then are our features brought forward to the next life? Bhagavan: It is certain that the features of the past life are carried to the next life. You can call them vasanas or samskaras or the qualities of the past life. People with good samskaras will spend their time in a sacred way by participating in satsang, good company, bhajan, singing His glory, entertaining good thoughts, good deeds, and good discussion. ....it is true that the body weakens, withers, dies and decays, but the samskaras don't die. They follow you to the next life. On the other hand, people with bad samskaras make their lifetime unholy by indulging in misdeeds, entertaining bad thoughts and speaking falsehood. As you have said, it is true that the body weakens, withers, dies and decays, but the samskaras don't die. They follow you to the next life. A simple illustration will make this subject clearer to you. Suppose your hand was injured. You got it treated, and for some time had also put a bandage over the injured part. The hand was healed completely after some time. But in that part of your hand where the injury took place, a scar or a mark is left, and it remains till now as well. Similarly, the body may die. But the vasanas remain as a spot in the next life. Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! Three gunas or attributes such as rajas, tamas and sattva (passion and activeness; dullness and inertia, and purity and goodness) are said to bind man. Does a sattvika quality also bind man? Is that also a bondage? Bhagavan: These three attributes only bind man. Your life is conditioned by them. All your deeds and expressions are governed by them. They monitor your conduct and behaviour. Even sattvika qualities also chain you. For example, you are confined with an iron chain. Is that not bondage? You may be confined with a silver chain. It is also bondage. It may be now a gold chain. Is it still not bondage? After all, the three chains differ only in the composition of the metal. Each is, ultimately, a chain and nothing more, though its value may differ from that of the other. Thus, the attributes bind or limit you. Here the iron chain is compared to that of 'tamas', dullnesss or inertia. The silver chain is like the 'rajasika' quality, active, energetic, passionate; and the gold chain is like the 'sattvika' nature, pure, steady and good. But divinity is beyond these three 'gunas'. It is, in fact, attributeless. (to be continued...) Prof Kasturi and Governor’s Birthday. Prof Kasturi says once it happened to me. Swami was in Whitefield at that time and the private Secretary of the state Governor was running about to carry a message to Swami. Unfortunately for me , he saw me, and said “Mr. Kasturi, I am glad you are here. I am trying to contact Swami, but not able to do so. Tomorrow is Governor’s birthday and He wants to come to offer his homage to Swami tomorrow morning. So Please find out from Swami when he can come. “My head began swelling! “Ah private secretary of Swami!†. I accepted the assignment and asked him to wait. I went inside the bungalow, and waited for Swami being alone. Because, if Swami reprimands me, there should be no witness of my discomfort! IN succeeded in having Him alone, and said “Swami private secretary to Governor†and so on. Swami was furious. He said “ Who gave you authority to wag your tail here. If you wag your tail, I will cut it.Why did you accept the assignment?. That man asked you†to find from Swami! Is it a thing to be found out? It is his birthday, he wants to come, and I will have to be ready to receive him, is it? Tell that man that the gate will be open from 6 am to 8 p.m. . Nothing very remarkable about Governor’s visit. It is not such important thing that you bring that message to me. You got my reply, now go back and tell him. What is all this nonsense? This is what I got. So don’t take advantage of closeness and don’t allow your head to swell! You should not look down upon others, who have not that chance. You should not try to find out the reason for your being graced so much to be near Him. Even the slightest wave of egoism in your mind is non-spiritual, because Swami is spiritual leader. So every act of His, every gesture of His, every word of His, is to promote our spiritual progress, to illumine our consciousness, to elevate our consciousness. Swami Says= “Life is a game of football. Youare the ball, and you are bound to be thrown and kicked about, this side and that. How long have you to bear this treatment? Until the air is full in the ball. Deflate it; no one will kick it again. The air that inflates it is ego. When the ego is out, bliss comes in. : -------- ---------------- His Touch that Purifies This early morning, long before His other Bright Light appeared over the horizon, this devotee with the heart filled with Ananda, received a beautiful Lesson from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sharing it with you is a joy. In the midst of dhyana Baba let me "see" Him on one of His frequent visits to Hospitals. The scene was the waiting room. Actually it was a widened hallway with new patients sitting on each side. Silently and dejectedly they sat awaiting their turn to be seen by the doctors. Baba who did not appear to be visible to the patients, walked in front of each and touched their hands. I asked Him why He did that. "These patients come for treatment. They know of only one kind. The kind that can be seen. A wound healing! A limb mending! A disease being routed! My touch also heals. Most times it is not `felt' by the patient engrossed in body pain. Into that body I pour purity. It is a `charge' that cannot be seen. It can only be `felt’ by one who has risen above mortal fears, one who has commenced to realise himself or herself from bodily demands motivated by a dis-eased mind". Baba kindly explained. “You said Swamiji, that you pour purity into their bodies. Tell me more of this ingredient to better health", yearningly I asked. "Charles, you know well the story of pouring ‘clean' water, that is water freed of impurities into the vessel containing muddy water. In time the water in the vessel is all 'clean'. And so with the body—the vessel—I pour purity in to skim off the debris which will, given the chance, rise to the ‘surface’.†Baba softly answered. "Swamiji, are there other ways to take in your purifying power?" I again asked. "Your eyes can gather this treasure at every turn. Your recognition of purity in others brings into yourself a like amount of the purity you see.†He answered. "How else can one gather up this treasure Swamiji?" again I asked. "There are many 'ways' to load your chariot with Me, more than I could hope you to learn in one lifetime, Charles. Seeing purity in all actions of others is wonderful to experience. But even more is knowing that all actions, regardless of their kind, contain elements of purity. Even actions that are foul and bitter and full of suffering". He patiently replied. "You mean Swami that one writhing in pain, even self-inflicted is purifying himself?" I enquired. "Yes Charles, but such a one while striving for the goal of final purification, of the world, knows no other way to reach the clouded goal. He endures mortal pain. No matter how many times such a seeker takes this Path to Me he will fail if he destroys his body, his vessel, he merely rids himself of the one means of travelling towards Me. "Now the one who strives hard to rid himself of impurities by pouring 'clean' water into his vessel will begin to 'feel' different—uplifted. He feels released from the draw of earthly things and desires. By continually practising walking along the pure Path he will enjoy Shanthi and in time his round of births and deaths will cease victoriously. He will find that even the balance of time using a human vessel will be filled with ananda. He will not even want `time’ to ever pass swiftly for he also has great joy here on earth. In fact such a one has attained immortality upon earth." Swamiji continued. "You have often told about the Crossing of the Ocean...can you tell how long such a `voyage’ takes?" I asked Him "When the vessel is on course and you have acknowledged Me as the Master, the crossing can come in a flash, for 'time' is a man-made expression which is not relative to My creation. That which I created in a flash—all the Universes—can completed instantly. For where do you `travel’ to? You are already there, is it not!" patiently He explained. "All too often, though, a Soul seasoned by many journeys in the `body vessel' almost reach the other side but runs aground in the midst of the great calm. The vessel runs aground on unseen reefs. Just a little more Guidance and vigilance would have brought the vessel safely to the shoreline. "Once your sails are filled with the breeze, don’t waver on the course, even when a peaceful island is located on the horizon. I will be your wind, your sails and your rudder as long as you need Me. One touch of My Hand, Charles, purifies the `sailor' and strengthens him!" Baba sweetly concluded ---- 8.MULTPLE FORM OF DIVINITY...TO SEE SWAMI IN MANY FORMS Dr Samuel H Sandweiss.M.D and his experience --------------- I have heard countless stories during my travels over the years and each one inspires and touches me with a new poignancy. In the years of 1996-1997, my wife Sharon and I spoke at the Sai Conference in Venezuela, Denmark, Holland, Germany, and England. We attended Sai Baba's 75Th Birthday celebration in India in November 2000, when 168 countries were represented. During these times, as well as throughout the years, we have heard thousand stories of Swami personally and miraculously touch inf and changing lives. Most devotees we have met have had a moving personal experiences with Sai Baba that had heightened his or her spiritual life. The following story about Swami appearing in multiple forms of divinity gave me courage just before I was to speak to a London audience of 2500 people in 1996. Always uneasy before speaking about Swami in front of a large group, I was trying to calm myself during the ride to the auditorium. I never feel quite sure of myself, especially as I prepare to talk about about the incomprehensible.Perhaps that's how we should be under such circumstances, never taking anything for granted, while wanting to be immediate, open unpretentious and vulnerable. A lovely Young Indian couple was driving me, I asked the driver, "How were you first attracted to Sai Baba?." He replied, it really something quite unusual. My wife was the devotee of Sai Baba, and not me. I believe in God in the form of Rama,Krishna and in the ancient texts of Hinduism. But not that God would come again in human form in this modern day and age. I sort of tolerated her devotion to Sai Baba. Then one evening while I was in bed, I looked towards the wall, and there against the wall stood Sai Baba. At first, I thought it mighty a misconception and shook my head. Yet, no, it was he in the flesh!.. I looked upward, and there he was again in front of my eyes I first thought that he had made a mistake and actually wanted to visit my wife. I wasn't frightened or alarmed,just a bit put out because I didn't want to see him. Then I turn away to look at another wall, and there he stood again I looked upward and there he was again in front of my eyes on the ceiling. I put my head in the pillow and went to sleep.as frustrated and rolled over, putting my head in the pillow, and went to sleep. "The next day, I had the strong felling that he would come again. I was worried and did not want to see him alone. I thought he would come to the bedroom again. I waited that evening until my wife was ready to go to bed. Then I followed her up the stairs, wanting her to go to bedroom before me. I had not told her of the incident, nor of my relief that she was with me now. However, there is a devotional room off to the right, just before entering our bedroom and as we walked along, she quickly took a right turn into this room. My momentum carried me into he bedroom and, as I had thought, there he was again!. More About Lord Rama "As I looked at Sai Baba, I was absolutely amazed to see him turn into the form of Lord Rama, then into the form of Krishna and the into the form of Ganesha, the elephant-headed God who removes obstacles. He then turned into two other forms of divinity. I was overwhelmed by the experience. I immediately knew that he was divinity. Then when I went to sleep, he came tome in my dream. He has since come many times in dreams, showering love and giving me personal instructions on every aspect of my life. He is my constant companion. He is God incarnate. Hearing this story was a wonderful gift given to me just before my talk in London. I was immediately elevated to a higher level of awareness. I was in bliss and charged with Sai Baba's divine love, the power of his authority, the grace he bestows, and the protection he provides, by simply relating this gift of a story. Sai Baba has come with such glorious omnipresent love to soften our hearts until we melt into him. ------------------------- Dancing To Life’s New Tune By Mr. Y Arvind Enabling and empowering, the Sai Healthcare system delivers hope and relief to millions who would never have otherwise had the confidence to dream of access to state-of-the-art medical treatment in an environment of love and compassion, absolutely free of cost. This is an account of a bouncy kid with a hard-to-forget joyful grin, who came to Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Hospital in Whitefield with lots of hope for a new life when society had turned its back on his family and ruined his precious childhood. How did his world turn around - read this fascinating account. The Unforgettable Grin Venkatesh - full of vibrant dreams Those of us who have read Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland will be familiar with the phrase, 'grinning like a Cheshire cat'; particularly the conversation when the cat disappears and only the grin remains. Lewis Carroll authored another equally hilarious book, Through the Looking Glass - all this humour from a man who was also a very serious mathematician. But the grin? Yes, the grin. Coming back to the grin, it was something similar to that of the cat, except the grin had a young boy's face attached to it. The grin belonged to a sprightly young lad I had met in the hospital that day. I recollected his words, "I want to dance. I want to learn dancing, and become a professional dance choreographer for movies." A grand ambition indeed for a child who had undergone cardiac surgery; but then, when have physical limitations deterred determined minds from achieving their goals? The son of Srinivas and Shanta, Venkatesh was studying the 6th grade at the Akshara Sri Vidya Public School located in Peenya Second Stage, Bangalore. His mother was part of the administrative staff in the same school. He has a younger brother by name Raviteja also studying in the same school. Poor Health Robs Childhood of Normalcy The fact that Venkatesh had health concerns became apparent when he was five months old. His parents approached local doctors who prescribed standard remedies but the matter refused to subside. By the age of 10 months, he was unable to hold any food down and would throw up with alarming regularity. One of Venkatesh's ailments was multiple Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) They finally went to a specialist who, suspecting a cardiac ailment, directed them to Jayadeva Heart Institute. The doctors there reckoned that he had a heart problem, but said he was too young and physically weak to undergo an angiogram. Apparently, the minimum safe weight for a child to undergo an invasive cardiology procedure is 10 kilograms. He was put on specific medical management and the family pulled on. They finally got the angiogram done in the year 2002. The diagnosis was that he had not one, but two complications! I opened the patient file and checked – the boy suffered from a condition called PDA Patent Ductus Arteriosus, which meant that there was an abnormal connection between the aorta and the Pulmonary artery because of which his pure and impure blood were getting mixed. This opening also affected his lungs since the pressure with which the heart was pumping blood was pushing the blood back to the lungs. The second complication was multiple Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA), which is a condition wherein the aorta that supplies pure blood from the heart to the rest of the body gets narrowed in more than one place, and consequently the blood supply to the peripheries of the body is reduced. This narrowing puts more pressure on the heart since the heart will have to beat against its own outflow…not a pretty situation to be in. If left unchecked, both these conditions can rapidly damage both the lungs and heart and…all of us know what happens when the heart stops beating. Dread of Exorbitant Medical Expenses Being poor, Venkatesh had little options open to him for treatment, were it not for SSSIHMS, Whitefield The mother narrates the trauma the family faced when "we were informed that the procedures will cost us Rs. 27,000 (or about US $700) initially with an extra expenditure on tests and medicines of Rs. 8000 (or US $200). We could not afford such a large sum with our meager income. My husband is a granite fitter by profession and his job is not regular." "Not regular?" I asked "You see, he gets work only when granite is involved, and that means he has to go to construction sites where his expertise will be useful. And he cannot go directly; he has to go through a contractor… so his work is not continuous. He is able to earn around Rs. 3000 per month. We manage because the school where I work is close by. Our expenses are not much." "How did you come here?" I asked, trying to changing track. "We lived for a while in Basaveswar Nagar and had a neighbour by name Lalitamma – she had been a patient in this hospital. She came back after surgery and told us about this place - how the medical care was totally free of charge and it was better than most other hospitals. So I took leave from my school duties and came over here with my boy. After the doctors saw him, they asked me if we wanted to go ahead with the surgery since surgery generally was the last resort. They also told me that surgery at such a young age will have lasting impact." Surgery went off without a hitch Shanta shrugged her shoulders when she explained the inevitability of her choice, "My son was getting worse and surgery was the only solution. We agreed and he was admitted shortly afterwards. The surgery went off well and there were no complications. I was so frightened when I first heard of the diagnosis, but now I am not at all afraid. This hospital, the doctors, the sisters, they are all so nice. This place is really a temple." Now that she was more relaxed, I quizzed her further. “But what about the other expenses?" "That I am able to manage", she smiled and continued, "For example, the food in the hospital canteen is good. And it costs only 10 to 12 rupees. Same thing in Majestic (Bangalore's Central Bus and Railway Station) costs 25 rupees and there we get very less in quantity. Also, I don't travel much. I stay in the attendee complex in the hospital. It costs Rs. 100 for two people to travel all the way to my place and I am able to avoid that expense by staying here." "In-Patient attendee complex, The Salarpuria block?" I clarified, and received a nod of assent. Dreams of Dancing I turned my attention to the young aspirant who had not stopped displaying his sparkling teeth, "What do you want to become in your life?" "Dancer!" came the prompt reply. I smiled at the uncommon reply and the grin grew wider. I was used to hearing, ‘doctor’, ‘engineer’, ‘lawyer’, and the most common answer given by the parents or relatives, '… he will become what God wants him to be…' Dancing was something of a hobby…. "I want to learn dance, and become a professional dance choreographer for films." - Venkatesh "Dancer?" I repeated. "Professional dance choreographer," he explained. "I want to learn dance, and become a professional dance choreographer for films." My eyebrows arched at the boy's earnestness. "Prabhu Deva?" I queried referring to the famous South Indian dance icon. "Yes! Yes!" the boy became animated. "I want to dance like him. I am already taking dancing lessons." I turned to his mother, "Where do you send him?" "There is a dance school in Chandra layout and also in Girinagar." She looked proudly at her son. "He wants to progress gradually, first learn dance, then become a dance master, then dance director and then professional dance choreographer." "Does his father approve?" I asked. "Oh yes! He does not have any problem." She put an arm round her son's shoulder and said, "Many of his friends also are learning dance." I asked her the question that I always reserve for the end of my conversations. "How do you feel now that your son has received a new lease of life?" Grateful Venkatesh and his mother "This is indeed a new life for my child. Really, I am full of gratitude to Sai Baba. I am lucky to get this chance. I will tell many people about this hospital but to avail this chance is their destiny." I left the ward with the words 'the chance is their destiny' ringing in my ears. Even as I type, my fingers move on their own accord. The words originating in my mind, the brain processing it and moving the right fingers to the right keys…how many of us realise that what we take for granted as common reflex is denied to the less fortunate among us. Yes! Training can make a person perform tasks better and more efficiently. But the body and mind must both be willing. Without a seed, there can be no tree. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. It follows that pain is an interval between two pleasures. Gold lies hidden in the bosom of earth, a pleasure to be in the embrace of the womb. In the hands of men it is precious, and so is 'purified' - beaten, twisted, carved to become more precious…Pain. But when finally it finds place adoring the brow of The King…Pleasure! Let us count our blessings and use adversity to steel ourselves. For how will we know the pleasure of light, when we do not know darkness? ---------------------------- Shalabh Mittal, who belong to Farldabaad, is a student of the 11 year B.Com. A keen reader and collector of books, he is deeply interested in service. --------------- A new day dawned, and the rays of the sun piercing through the clouds evoked a humble adoration of the creator in my heart. I was sitting in the car along with my father, brother and sister, caught in an exasperating traffic jam. To my utter consternation, I found that the truck in front of us began to move backwards. The thought of an imminent collision filled my heart with trepidation. Verily, whenever our hopes are low, our heart cries out for help to Him. In one cadence, we all shouted "Sai Ram" and closed our eyes, expecting the inevitable. The next moment, to our utter amazement, we found that we were all safe without even a sign of mutilation, through the telling effect of the collision was clearly visible in our battered car. Mightily true indeed, are the words of Thomas Kempis in his "Imitation of Christ". "Thou art, O Lord, my hiding place. Thou wilt save me from perdition and peril,for,in You is life, salvation and bliss everlasting." Just as a magnet draws iron filings to itself, the Lord too, draws the mass of humanity to His feet, uniting them into one family, and sublimating them through His all-encompassing love and mercy. My parents being devotees, I was exposed to Swami's divinity from my childhood. I was a zealous participant in the Bal vikas pro-grammes organized by the Sri Sathya Sai seva samithi. But, when I reached my eleventh standard, I was drifting. The vagaries of youth had affected me. I found myself acting contrary to my parents' aspirations. I was soon disillusioned with my friends, who's affections towards me were superficial and motivated by self interest. In those moments of dejection, I realized that God alone is our true friend. He alone can take us across the trials and tribulations of life. In my ignorance, I had tried to forge an everlasting relationship with this never lasting world. Swami describes jagat as ja (come) + gat (go) = jagat (that which comes and goes). This awakening intensified my love for Swami and His teachings. Thus, this errant child was drawn back into Swami's fold. "Lord,Thou maddest us for Thyself. Our heart is restless until we response it on Thee." -St. Augustine. I applied for admission in the eleventh standard in Swami's school at Puttaparthi. Though I was not successful. I was fortunate to have Swami's darshan at Brindavan. that one darshan fired my determination all the more, to study at His lotus feet. I returned to Faridabad to pursuer further studies,cherishing fond memories of Brindavan. By Bhagavan's grace, from an average student I became a distinction holder. This ladder of academic excellence was scaled by me only with the aspirating of pleasing Bhagavan and winning His grace. Soon, to my utter delight, I was selected for the degree course at Bhagavan's Institute. The first sight that greeted me at the entrance of the Brindavan hostel was a beautiful plaque, which read, 'Home-where each lives for the others, and all live for God.' This filled me with euphoric contentment. This interaction with different students, hailing from different backgrounds, with diverse beliefs, created a sense of mutual brotherhood and oneness. Life in the Institute hostel fosters a harmonious development of the physical, mental, and spiritual faculties in an individual. Trayee Brindavan, located just adjacent to the hostel building, is the home for Bhagavan at Whitefield. It is environ on all sides by beautiful flora, luxuriant lawns and pet animals. In this lovely home of Bhagavan, students gather around His lotus feet and back in the sunshine of His love and grace. Trayee Brindavan instilled in me at intense urge to serve Bhagavan in my own humble way. The proximity that students enjoy with Bhagavan nurtures in us that sense of belonging which binds a child to its mother. When Bhagavan enters Trayee, there are students sitting on either side of the pathway. Some students touch Swami's feet; others be see ch the Lord to answer their prayers; some other offers a handkerchief to Him to wipe the beads of perspiration on His face. Amid the cluster of students, radiates the moon-like face of our Lord, who, seated on a homely swing, distributes motherly love to Her children. Once, Bhagavan, with the divine authority to correct His children said, "You must start with the step, the cleansing of the mind and the cultivation of virtue. Even if you do not start with that step at least, do not laugh at those who do and discourage them . Do at least this much!" Numerous guests visit Trayee and attend these evening meetings. They share the intimacy and the special warmth of Bhagavan's love. These guests are often happy victims of Swami's banter. One such person, a state official, was asked whether she had my secretary,. When told that she had two, Swami remarked, ":I do not have any, I receive hundreds of letters ever day, yet I can remember the contents of all of them." To illustrate this point, He inquired of a member in the audience whether he had sent a registered letter that very day. The person joyfully nodded assent. Swami them proceeded to recount the contents of the letter, sentence after sentence, and the person stood there is joyful agreement. Later, he confided that at the time of sending the letter, he had prayed to Bhagavan to acknowledge the letter explicitly. Bhagavan's sense of humor is well known. Once a group from Italy had come to Him. He asked one of them, "Where did you come from?" The devotee with tears of joy in his eyes answered, "From Italy, Swami" With a mischievous twinkle in His eyes, Bhagavan said "From Idli, not from chutney". He looked at the boys and all roared with laughter. The group was baffled at the laughter. They repeated in all seriousness that they were from Italy. Later, some students realized that there is a place name Chitinous in France. What was humorous for the students, as a normal query for the Italians. His humor is never flippant. It is always pregnant with a message. To sum up my feelings I would say, that the time was spend with Bhagavan and Trayee Brindavan will be etched in our memory as one of the most exhilarating and happiest Moments of our lives. It would not be inappropriate, if I pen down some valuable lessons imbibed at His lotus feet. The idea of cleanliness is one of them, Bhagvan says, "Students have to pay great attention to an important quality-cleanliness,outer and inner. When either of these is absent, a person becomes useless for any task."-(Vidya Vahini) Another significant lesson I learned, is the value of dedication to duty. Swami says, " A vidyarthi should not become a vishayarthi." Echoing a similar thought, Robert Hamill said, "The major task of a student is to be a student. He goes to his desk as to an altar, He studies with his whole heart and a single mind, because of God has called him for that vocation." There is a phenomenal similarity between the words of Bhagavan and Jesus Christ... Christ said, "Love the lord, thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength,and with all thy mind". The second most important commandment is, "Lord thy neighbor as thyself'. Bhagavan has conveyed this profound teaching o f Jesus succinctly when he says, "They only way to love God is to "Love all, Serve all." This divine ability to construe the most profound truths in the simplest of ways attracts people to his lotus feet. However much we endeavor to fathom the glory of the Lord, it would still be only a vain attempt. O Sai Maa! Let me be a channel, Through which your love can flow. Where i find darkness, let me bring A warm and hopeful glow. Help me, Lord, bring faith and trust Where I find disbelief, And let me wipe the tears that come with sorrow,hurt,and grief. Help me find the way,Lord To find new channels, through which your love can flow until The world is one with You. Jai Sai Ram. ---------------- THE Eyes of God It was sometime during the hot month of June. The drama unfolded itself in a small street corner in the city of Cuttack, Orissa (a state in eastern India). Do I have to quote the date? It could be any day, and anyplace, where men have a tryst with themselves. I was returning home from college for a late lunch. I did not have classes in the afternoon, so I thought I could afford to eat a little late that day to save myself from coming back in the grueling heat. As my mind was running away to home for a curd rice and saag bhaji, my favourite in summer, I was looking around in search of a fruit stall to buy a couple of bananas for puja. My wife specifically wanted them, for it was Thursday. The street looked almost deserted, every dog taking a nap in some shade and every puddle in the street simmering under the unrelenting Sun, struggling to hold on to every drop. Typical of human life, I mumbled on. We are in love with life, but hardly bother to add value to living. I discovered a small shop tucked away in a corner near a banyan tree in its last lap of life, not because it was too old to exist, but because men were too greedy for space to let it exist. City streets are now barren, forfeit of trees, in the excuse for expansion. But, are we really expanding? I got down from the cycle rickshaw and went near the shop to buy a few bananas. On my right, a little away from where I stood, was unfolding the first scene of the drama. A blind beggar was sitting in the shade with the tell-tale tin in front of him. A vendor stepped into the shade and against the trunk of the tree, rested his wooden frame on which hung many little novelties. In villages and city side streets, we see these vendors selling a thousand different things, each not more than a rupee or two. They make a cross-like bamboo frame with three or four bars tied across a vertical pole. Then they arrange typical women’s trinkets and cheap jewellery on them. One can find ribbons, balloons, tooth-picks, ear-picks, nail-clippers, hair-dressing items, locks, and a hundred other things hanging from those crossbars. They walk the street, stand in a corner, and ring a hand bell. Customers come to choose whatever they need. These vendors often lead a hand-to-mouth existence. I overheard the conversation that ensued between the two, the blind beggar and the street side vendor. Vendor: Rahim bhayya, kya kuchh mila? (Rahim brother, did you get anything?) Rahim: Kaun… Hari bhayya ? Allahki mehrbani, ek paisa bhi nahin.(Who is it? Brother Hari? By the grace of Allah, not even a paisa.) Hari: Hmmm… to kya khaoge ? (Then what will you eat?) Rahim: Allahki mehrbanise thoda pani milegi to achha hoga.(By the grace of Allah if I get a little water to drink, it would be alright) Hari: Allah karega to panika sath aur kuchh bhi miljayega Rahim bhayya. Aj mujhe do rupayya munafa mila. Isi do rupayyame char puri to hoga. Tum baith raho. Mein abhi char puri lekar aata hun. (If Allah wants, we can get something more besides water. Today I got two rupees as profit. Two rupees can buy four puris. You remain seated here, I will go and fetch four puris.) I kept on standing there pretending; I was afraid to brave the Sun. In fact, I was struck by the piece of great humanity unfolding before me. The street vendor came back with two packets made of leaves, each containing two puris and a little chutney. Hari had brought a tinful of water too. He sat down and passed on one packet to Rahim. Both ate the puris with great relish, drank water from the tin, and fell to their inconsequential daily gossip. They did not talk about the purpose of life, of new technologies, international politics, fashions and films; but of simple living. I left the shade, washed by the lyrics of life, by the quintessential beauty of an inconsequential life. But that was not all. God had something more for me before the end of the day. As I said, it was a Thursday. So after a short post-lunch nap, I washed, and went to a bhajan centre. Those were the early seventies, and bhajans were held in devotees’ homes. It afforded a beautiful get together in homely environment. Now, mandirs (temples) have sprung up everywhere as public gathering places, and organized formality has cruelly replaced informal conviviality. I hailed a rickshaw and arrived at the centre before time. I was standing before the gentleman’s house waiting for a friend. This was when the second part of the drama unfolded. There was a big gate opening to their compound. A garage faced the gate and on the other side of the house was a sprawling balcony. The ground floor hall started under it and spread inside the house. That was the bhajan hall. The lady of the house and a daughter were standing in the balcony, probably looking for a known face. A couple of beggars appeared near the gate and asked for alms. There was a blind woman amidst them. She was middle aged, held a cane and was led by a girl of ten or twelve years, probably her daughter. They chanted a prayer a couple of times. The ladies on the balcony were watching them with some disapproval. When they heard it a fourth time they realized it was a bhajan day and that these people should be disposed off quickly. The lady of the house went inside, got a coin and tossed it to her from her overhead balcony. The coin fell on the hard floor below with a tong and rolled down the street. The blind woman bent down and groped for the precious coin, her little girl helping her. While both of them were frantically searching for the ‘heaven’s gift’, the two ladies found it quite amusing, and laughed. Finally, they got the quarter-of-a-rupee coin, blessed the giver, and left. I entered the hall and chose a spot at the rear of the congregation. The bhajan started, but I couldn’t concentrate at all. The faces of Rahim, Hari, the old woman, and the ladies on the balcony kept disturbing me. I looked at the life-size standing picture of Bhagavan Baba on the pedestal. Suddenly, his eyes became alive, and in their place I saw another pair of eyes. A few months earlier, during the puja vacation I had been to Prasanthi Nilayam. One day, I was sitting in the second row for darshan. A middle-aged man was sitting in front of me with his sick child, palsied limbs struck by some wasting disease. After some time, Bhagavan came along and stood before him, looking at the father and the child. He waved His hands, poured some Vibhuti into the hands of the father, applied the remaining Vibhuti on the forehead of the boy, and walked away. I had the good fortune of looking into His eyes. I felt the dewy eyes of Bhagavan reflected all the suffering of humanity, and all the compassion of God. It was such a soul-stirring vision. I now saw those eyes, soft and glassy, so delicate and supple, yet they encircled all existence. I couldn’t sing a song that day, for there was another song overflowing my heart. I remembered Wordsworth, “…for the vale profound / was overflowing with the sound...†~ Mr. B. K. Misra Illustrations: Ms. Vidya, Kuwait ---------------- REPORT FROM BROTHER SUMITOMO MASAKI OM SAI RAM REPORT ON EASWARAMMA DAY. EASWARAMMA DAY WAS HELD AS A KANSAI GOUDOU ACTIVITY AT SHIAWASE NO MURA ON 3RD MAY. THE THEME IS MOTHERHOOD. EASWARAMMA DAY STUDY CIRCLE STUDY CIRCLE Yoga ACTIVITY GAME 1 GAME 2 BHAJAN SAI FAMILY SUN CIRCLE IN THIS EASWARAMMA DAY,THERE APPEARED THE SUN CIRCLE WITH RAINBOW . IT IS SWAMI’S GRACE.PLEASE SEE SUN IN CIRCLE, HOW IT APPREAD ON OUR SADHANA CAMP IN SHIWASENO NO MURE KOBE. ABOUT 70/80 PATICIPAED. IT WAS A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER MOTHER EASWARAMMA..THIS PROGRAM WAS OVER BY 6PM ---------- 1.SWAMI'S MESSAGE 2.DRAMA OF LIFE 3.SATHYA SAI SPEAKS 4.SHIRDI BABA DEVOTEES DISEASE DISAPPEARED 5.PROF ANIL KUMAR...SATYOUPANSHID #15 6.PROF KASTURI & GOVERNORS BIRTHDAY 7.HIS TOUCH PURIFIES...SAI SPIRITUAL SHOWERS 8.DR.SANDWEISS MULTIFORM OF DEVOTEES EXP 9.DR.JOHN HISLOP...SAI KRISHNA 10.DANCING TO LIFE'S NEW TUNE 11.SHABLAD MITTAL SWAMI'S STUDENTS 12.EYES OF GOD #182 13.REPORT FROM KOBE CENTER ----------------- KOBE CENTERS PROGRAM SCHEDULE Place : l.S.S. 2nd Fl. 1-3, Kumochi 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe (Tel: 078-222-1885) Home Page MAP Bhajans Bhajan Practice Study Circle every Sun 4:00-5:00pmevery Thur 7:30-830pm 1st,5th Sun 2:00-3:40pm 2nd Sun 2:00-3:20pm3rd,4th Sun 2:30-3:40pm every Thur 7:00-7:20pm 2nd Sun 5:30-6:30pm (English)4th Sun 5:30-6:30 (Japanese) 2nd Sun 3:40-3:55 (Gayatri Chanting) Ladies Programme 3rd,5th Sun 5:30-6:30pm Youth Programme 3rd Sun 0:30-2:20pm 2nd Sun in odd months 5:30-6:15pm(Study Circle)1st Sun in even months 0:30-1:50 Seva Aisei-en (Orphanage home): 3rd Sun 9:30-11:30amNarayana Seva: 2nd,4th Sun 10:00-11:30am, 1st, 3rd Thur 9:00-10:00pm Veda Club Veda clup is held on every 4th Sunday after Bhajans. Study Circle in (Japanese) is held on every 2nd Sunday on 1st fl. Subscribe/Un information: (Free copy) To , please send your request to rgcjp To , please type “REMOVE†on the subject line and send to rgcjp ----------------------- SAI CENTERS: KOBE, YOKOHAMA, OSAKA, SAPPORE,HAMAMATSU OKINAWA, CHIBA, NAGOYA, TOKYO & KYOTO.' SAI BHAJAN GROUPS.: OBIHIRO, SAITAMA, SHIZUOKA, KITAKYUSHU, MORIOKA TAMA, NARA, FUKUOKA, TOHOKU, NAGANO, IWAKUNI, HIROSHIMA, KAGOSHIMA, GUNMA, KANAZAWA, KAGAWA. Note: Some schedules are subject to change. Please contact respective centers and groups for information. ..................................................................................................... GLOBAL KANSAI LIGHT READERS CORNER. In this issue, we share with you responses received from Readers. We have received for 'KANSAI LIGHT' Issue. Since this corner of Readers acknowledgments is limited, we can print few of these letters in every issue. Jai Sai Ram -------------------From anju Respected Brothers thanks a lot Thank you for your mail and many Swami's message and posting us our monthly "Kansa Light" News letter. We are also interested in book Sathya Sivam Sundram vol-5. Please guide us to get this book Sai Ram --------------------------- From Surya jai Sai Ram Your various messages and Swami,s teachings are so inspiring which comes from you heart. Also Your "Kansai Light" your monthly News letter thrilled us. Thank you and Sai Ram --------------------------- From Dr Tejpal Thank you very much Shri Ramchandji for sending me this wonderful report of "Kansai Light" of May issue. You will definetely get un-ending divine grace of BHAGAVAN. Dear brother the message you sent is highly inspirirationl and enclurages us love and service to mankind. Thank you & Sai Ram --------------------------- From Indra B.Sriram M.D Fort Wayne, Indiana' USA Sai Ram I enjoy reading your new letter "Kansai Light" In turn I thought for sharing the New Letter from our center...Forth Wayne Indiana, USA. Thank you Sai Ram --------------------------- - Ram ChuganiKobe, Japan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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