IN THIS ISSUE :
1. SAI SUKTHI – ACHARYA VANI
2. A TRIBUTE TO MASTER
3. EVERY ONE LIGHT AT LEAST TEN LAMPS
4. SRI POONDI SWAMYJI
5. PARIPRASNA
6. SRI CHAITANYA SWAMYJI'S MESSAGE
7. ABOUT THIS EMAIL.
SAI SUKTHI -ACHARYA VANI
THE EARTH BEARS SEEDS. CLOUDS RAIN ON THEM. THE SUN SENDS HIS RAYS, AND MAKES THEM SPROUT.WHEN THESE SPROUT EARTH, CLOUDS AND SUN KEEP ON THEIR HAPPY COURSE IN ALL DIRECTIONS.THEY NEITHER EXULT AT THE GROWTH NOR DEJECT AT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SPROUTS.YOU SHOULD BE UNAFFECTED LIKE THESE. IF YOU ARE, WHEN CAN SORROW COME TO YOU? MUKTI (OR LIBERATION) IS THIS ABSENCE OF SORROW.
SRI SAI BABA
THE SATISFACTION THAT COMES AFTER FULFILLMENT OF DESIRES AND SOLVING THE DIFFICULTIES IS TEMPORARY . AGAIN NEW ONES WILL ARISE.THE REASON IS IGNORANCE, GRIEF AND RESTLESSNESS. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THESE IS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE (VIVEKAM). AS A RESULT OF THIS VIVEKAM, THERE WILL BE EQUALITY AND INDIFFERENCE TOWARDS HAPPINESS AND GRIEF – WHICH IS DISPASSION (VAIRAGYAM).THEN THE DEVOTION THAT IS LEFT BEHIND IS THE TRUE DEVOTION.
BHAGAVAN SRI BHARADWAJA
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A TRIBUTE TO MASTER
It is no exaggeration to say that Parama Pujya Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja, who is fondly called as 'Master' is known to every
Sai devotee.
In spite of being born in a theistic and traditional family, Master E.B doubted the very traditional doctrine and continuously indulged himself in the Quest for the Truth thus setting an ideal example to both the theistic and atheistic sections of the society. In his quest for the truth, he analyzed modern science and proved the existence of God in a scientific manner and thus became a bacon of light to the students of the present day and to the very system of education. His works in Telugu EDI NIJAM (what is reality?),"MATHAM ENDUKU (Why Religion?), VIGNANA VEECHIKALU (Waves of Scientific Knowledge) amply prove that the moral and spiritual values can be imparted to the youth even through the Scientific Education today.
In his natural quest for truth, he intensively studied religious scriptures on Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Tao and also the lives and teachings of Saints of these religions. After a thorough research, he started thinking as to why the finer aspects of all these religions did not culminate into one divine manifestation so far. With this agitating query in his mind, Master happened to visit Shiridi and did find an answer by the Grace of Lord Sai, which he experienced there, immensely in his very first visit. After two decades of intense research on the life and teachings of Sri Sai, Master enlightened the world that Sri Sai Baba is an unparalleled Saint in the very history of mankind. We shall witness in the days to come, the impact of Master's works on the people across the continents, which has already started in some parts of the world.
The youth, on proper study of modern science get converted into earnest seekers of truth, which in turn helps them to develop a complete and comprehensive outlook towards life. Such youth on studying the life and teachings of Sri Sai, which is the harmonious blend of all religions, realize that this entire universe is the manifestation of Sadguru or Spiritual Master and thus lead to the wiping out of the communal and religious differences in the society. If it is understood that each one of us is a manifestation of God, then the people can lead affectionate, ethical and happy life. Revered Master says that there is no other alternative beyond this to inculcate moral values into the mankind of today. He ahs dedicated his entire life towards this goal. As per the ancient spiritual tradition (Arsha Dharma), the quest of an earnest spiritual seeker will not be strengthened unless he visits 'Perfect Persons' or 'Purna Purushas.' This is again relieved in the Master'slifeandworks.
Through Master E.B, Sri Sai is conveying to the society that Sri Gurucharitra Parayana (reading) is undoubtedly a means to seek the Grace and association of Holy Saints. Master's works on great saints have given invaluable insight to many a spiritual seeker.
According to Master E.B there are a good number of people in this world who have no spiritual bent of mind and who are ignorant of the very spiritual quest. It is our prime duty to morally awaken them and until there is transformation in them, we all have no atonement. Without giving any weightage to our likes and dislikes and without getting bogged down by any amount of difficulties each one of us should undertake to propagate Baba's philosophy and his preachings says Master. According to a Sanskrit verse 'Swadhyaya Pravachanabhayam
Napramaditavyam.' i.e."To know what is not known and without any laxity, it should be made known to the unknown." The above doctrine was practiced and preached thoroughly by Master thus leading to a new school of thought.
Master clearly emphasized that he who experiences and demonstrates that the entire universe is his form only, just as Sri Sai proved, can only be called as Spiritual Masters or Spiritual guides. Thus the very desire of projecting oneself as Masters for the sake of name and fame without attaining self-realization is being nipped in the bud itself by the Master.
Master cautions us that when there are great saints who even after attaining Mahasamadhi are still blessing their devotees both materialistically and spiritually, people for mere fulfillment of desires and hardships are still running after fake masters for initiationetc., which is suicidal to the society. Master's works authoritatively prove that miracles, spirit possessing, fortune telling are all simply deviating the mankind from the true spiritual path. He gives no scope for baseless allegations against theism.
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SAINT OF POONDI: ORIGIN BY BHAGAVAN SRI BHARADWAJA:
Once I had occasion to visit the Samadhi of Sri Seshadri Swamigal in Tiruvannamalai, when the priest there, after giving me the holy water (Teertham) and sacred ash (Vibhuti). suggested that I should visit the "Saint of Poondi". Since Poondi was situated only about twenty miles from there, I assured the priest that I would try to make the visit. Shortly afterwards I met a young Brahmachari from Uttarkasi, by name, Mallikaljuna, and we decided to visit the Saint of Poondi together, and so we soon started off by bus, and arrived at Poondi.
As the bus came to a halt, we jumped out and immediately noticed that on the right side of the road, on an open verandah, an old man was seated and was garlanded very profusely. The first look at him created a poor impression: "If this were to be the Swami of Poondi, then I have come to one who parades himself exactly at the place where the bus stops". And he was looking from the right corner of his eyes at all the people alighting from the bus. I was almost sure that he was on the look out for devotee visitors. His hair was partly tied up into a knot at the top of his head with flower garlands, and the rest of it was falling behind his back. He had a shapely beard, and in his left hand he held a large number of currency notes. In his right hand, between his fingers, were two or three cigarettes, and there were some rings on his fingers, only one of which seemed to be of gold.
I stood for a moment, wondering whether he could be the Swami so highly spoken of by the priest at Tiruvannamalai, and the young Brahmachari accompanying me suggested that we had best find out for sure whether he was the man we had come to see. Upon our enquiry one young man told us that we were in fact in the presence of the Swami whom we had wanted to see. We immediately accepted the situation, and, turning all our fanciful thinking towards the task of patient observation, we offered to garland him with the flowers that we had brought from Tiruvannamalai. The Swami, instead of allowing us to put them around his neck, leaned back so as to be beyond our reach, and taking the garlands with his hand, he kept them away from him. Seeing the rupees in his hands I too offered him one rupee, which he accepted. Then he gave us holy ashes and Kumkum. We then went to the back of the thatched shed, and introduced ourselves to a young man, Mr Ramani from Madras. While the Brahmachari started to talk with him, I kept up my observation of the Swami. The first thing that I observed was that the Swami did not pay attention to his visitors, other than formality demanded of him. He seemed to be not looking at anyone in particular, and I found out that his side-long look was not a look for eager devotees, but was just his natural look, like the left-bent gaze of Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi. Furthermore 'Poondi Swami' was indifferent to the money in his left hand, for not once did he change it over to his other hand, nor did he remove it to, a relaxed position. Nor did he smoke, though he held so many cigarettes between his fingers, and his mood did not change even with the passing of four hours. Obviously he was not waiting for any devotees, for as they came and went, he paid little attention to them. He seemed neither happy nor bored, nor did he change his sitting posture even once. This was a stunning revelation for me. It was not that he was sitting in meditation or anything like that. He simply was not aware of the way he was sitting, and his body did not demand any attention to it by seeking any change in his posture. On keen observation, this complete unawareness of the separate existence of his body, seemed to correspond with his unawareness of the separate existence of others. When someone comes for his blessings, he focuses his attention as if by an effort, and as soon as his blessing is given (either by accepting the offerings of the visitor, or by giving holy ashes), his focused attention seems to melt into a general, vast, abstract awareness. Even visitors standing for hours in his presence do not attract his attention. Curiosity is totally absent in him.
People who visit him walk towards him, offering fruits, flowers, money, coconuts, incense sticks and camphor. Some offer him tea or coffee, which they fetch from the nearby stalls. Others offer him soda, coca-cola or orange crush, and give him cigarettes or beedies. He accepts, takes them, and puts them aside, paying no attention to them. By evening there are huge piles of these accumulated things, which he never gives to anyone. Every night all these gifts are cleared up and dumped in the rooms behind the Swami, and the heaps have accumulated to such an extent that the rooms seem to be almost full, and all the offerings of of earlier days peep out of the spaces in the shutters. Yet nothing rots nor stinks, and the vapour that can be occasionally sensed is as from fresh flowers, fruits and coconuts. He holds all the money that is offered to him from morning until evening, and this has been going on for the past ten or eleven years. On Saturdays and Sundays the crowds are particularly large, owing to the arrival of those who take off the weekend in order to do homage to him.
Those who visit the Swami repeatedly, know that he never eats nor drinks by himself The thought does not seem to arise at all in him. Some of the devotees lean very close to him and put their offerings straight into his mouth. Even as they approach him he casts a piercing glance at them and at the offering, and immediately seems to decide whether to eat it or not. Sometimes he calmly eats what is put in his mouth, otherwise he takes it with his hand and puts it aside. Generally he does not say anything, except for the occasional 'No' or 'I'll eat later,' 'Keep it there' or 'Hm.' When he accepts drinks, he first transfers the money from his right hand to the left, takes the vessel, and drinks it up, right to the very last drop.
His rejection or acceptance of such offerings does not depend on his liking the articles offered or otherwise. For what he rejects when offered by one man, he accepts from another. In one case that I observed, two people offered him orange squash in two bottles. With one he just glanced at the man, and at the drink, and then kept silent, neither accepting not rejecting. People do not know what to do in such a context. The man stood waiting for a full five minutes, and then requested him to accept it. "Put it there," said the Swami, and again kept silent. After further waiting the man put it where indicated, and stretched out his hands for Vibhuti. "Take it," said the Swami, without even looking at him. The man took a pinch of the Vibhuti and left, casting a searching glance at the Swami and at the bottle of squash still untouched. The next man, a poor villager, walked in and offered a bottle of orange squash. With a sidelong glance the Swami changed the money over to the left hand, took the bottle, and drank it up right to the last drop, looking intently as the very last traces ran down the side of the bottle and into his mouth. He returned the bottle with a belch. He next took up a pinch of Vibhuti, put it on the forehead of the villager, and applied a little Kumkum. The man whispered a petition, to which the Swami said, "Nalladu" (Meaning 'approval or 'sanction' in Tamil), and bowing he too left.
One of the visitors offered the Swami a packet of cigarettes and matches, and tried to put a cigarette in the Swami's mouth, but the Swami took it out and placed it on the side. The man took Vibhuti and left. Another visitor then walked up, put a cigarette in the Swami's mouth, and the latter, like a child, opened it in passive acceptance. When it was lit, the Swami immediately started taking brisk, rapid inhalations of the smoke, and all his attention seemed to be on his new task. It was like a breathing exercise. After just a dozen rapid puffs he had finished more than half of the cigarette, and the man who had offered it bowed gratefully, picked up some Vibhuti and left. The next visitor extended a sweet to the Swami's mouth. The Swami seemed to waken from his engrossment in smoking, looked at it for a moment and took it into his mouth. At the same moment he completely forgot all about the burning cigarette in his hand. A few more people came, and the offerings continued. He accepted a tumbler of coconut water from one, a cup of coffee, a soda, an orange drink, some more sweets, some mango, and so on. It was stupefying to see how he could go on accepting whatever was offered. When it seemed that the fullness of his stomach was the reason of refusing more offerings, he suddenly accepted something from the next person.
Nobody knows exactly who he is He was found for over thirty years wandering about in the neighbouring villages and towns. He never spoke to anyone, never asked anyone for anything, never changed his clothes, never washed. He answered the calls of nature wherever he sat, and never ever washed himself. Yet strangely enough he was never found stinking. When things were offered to him, he would only rarely accept. He only ate what people placed in his mouth, never taking any food in his hands. If he took any cigarettes or matches, they would be seen tied up in a portion of his clothes, but they would never see him smoking them. When in the vicinity of Poondi or Kalasapakkam, he would sit mostly in the sand of an adjoining rivulet. Neither the sweltering heat of the sands on a summer noon, nor the biting cold of winter nights could drive him any place to seek shelter from the extremes of weather. He was found lying for days on end in the hot sands. When it rained, he seemed to be unaware of it. Occasionally he would walk into and around the villages, and would sit wherever suited. He never answered questions of people, regarding his name, place or age. He would bless when his blessings were sought. Very few people recognised him to be the Saint that he undoubtedly was. Most people took him to be a madman. It was a peculiar incident that brought him to the attention of the public. Once he sat on the riverbed, even when the water in it rose up. Usually he sat on a bank and the water flowed past him on either side, but on this occasion the river was quite full. The villagers thought that he had been washed away by the swirling waters, or that he must have been buried in the sand. After some days the water level fell, and huge sand dunes were left behind. Nearly twenty-five days later, when some people were removing the sand heaps, they found the Swami lying under the sand. As soon as the sand was removed, the Swami got up as though from a sleep, and just walked into the village. In this way the Swami was recognised, and so he came to be venerated. Once a milkman of Poondi was carrying five litres of milk on his head. On the way he met the Swami and offered him some. He kept on offering it until the Swami had drunk it all up, and he considered this a rare honour. On another occasion, on Deepavali day, he went and sat in the front yard of a house nearby the Ishwara temple in Kalasapakkam. The housewife came out and was overjoyed to see, the Swami, and offered an oil bath, as is the custom on a holy day. After he kept quiet she applied the oil to his head and body herself and then requested him to go to a pool nearby, where he could take a bath. The Swami agreed and went to the pool, smeared himself with soap nut water and then stretched himself out on the ground. The lady thought that the Swami must have left after taking the bath, and so did not go to look for him. But in fact he remained on the ground for a few days, until a passerby noticed him lying there all covered with termites. He immediately cleared the Swami's body and asked him to get up. The Swami stood up, told the man not to trouble the insects as they were only feeding on him, and then walked away. On another occasion the Swami was seen at a temple in Palagoil, and he used to lie down in the temple in such a way that the Abhisheka water would fall on to his head.
"Paramahamsas like Samvartaka, Aruni, Swetaketu, Jadabharata, Dattatreya, Suka, Vamadeva, Haritaka and others, take eight mouthfuls only, and strive after Moksha alone, through the path of Yoga. They live clothed or naked, at the foot of trees, in ruined houses, or in burning-grounds. With them are no dualities such as Dharma and Adharma, gain and loss, purity and impurity. They look upon gold and stone with the same eye, living on alms, begging from all without any distinction of caste, and looking upon everything as Atma alone. Living as nature made them, freed from the sense of duality, from covetousness, and being engaged in pure Contemplation (Sukla Dhyana) , meditating on Atma, and begging just enough to keep the body and soul together. They reside in ruined houses, temples, straw huts, anthills, the foot of trees, potteries, places of Agnihotra, the sand in the bed of rivers, mountain caves, cavities, hollows of trees, waterfalls etc. Having advanced far on the path of Brahman, being pure in mind, they leave the body through the method prescribed for Paramahamsa Sanyasins." (Bhikshuka Upanishad) .
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EVERY ONE LIGHT AT LEAST TEN LAMPS:ORIGIN BY BHAGAVAN SRI BHARADWAJA
Deepavali festival is here. Small huts and huge buildings in the cities, villages, through out the country (from sethu to Himalayas) are glowing with lights. The sky laughed and danced with radiance of lights. During the month of karthikam also in some houses, they lit lamps. Deepavali preaches to utilize the opportunity to remove the darkness of ignorance (ajnana ) and to get rid of the bitter cold called sorrow. This festival is celebrated as Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura.
In our country temperatures are usually high. The winter season is very cold, as a result even after working long hours it causes less fatigue .It is suitable weather for people who practice Yoga. So that is why is this season is very sacred.
Sri Sai gave the correct meaning for this festival through his way of living. What is the use to light lamps once a year, that to for a month duration and live the rest of the time in darkness? So He used to light lamps in Masjid everyday using oil. The message is – our body called Dwarakamayi which have nine entrances should be continuously filled with the light of knowledge.
First we light one lamp and using that we light the remaining lamps. Similarly, a disciple attains self realization through his Guru. Guru’s presence is enough without any preaching. But the glowing lamp should not be removed before the other lamp is completely lit. The same principle is present in Sai’s saying -- offering the Dakshina Nistha and Saburi.
If we do like this, then the effect of collective karma will be cancelled out. It is possible to attain the highest aim or object of life by acquiring new tendency or samskaram (another meaning of samskaram is oil). In this divine form of universe called Dwarakamayi, all the living beings can light the lamp of their hearts from the DIVINE LIGHT of Sai that glows continuously.
In our hearts there may be water called reluctance. In Sri Sai ‘s presence , when sai bestows the light of knowledge even water will shine and the ignorance that arises in the heart should pass away . In that light the unbearable ill feelings like affection ,hatred, jealousy etc will break off , just like the bitter cold of ignorance.
Sai also taught another thing. The place where a Human being lives should be kept clean, bright and sacred. If every body implements this principle, then this universe called Dwarakamayi instead of being a dilapidated Masjid, will change into the sacred abode of SADGURU.
So introduce our SAIBABA MAGAZINE TO THE FELLOW DEVOTEES, AND COOPERATE IN CONTINUING THE SPREAD THIS OBJECTIVE AS INDICATED BY SRI SAI.
IF ONE MEDITATES ON ME, REPEATS MY NAME, SINGS MY DEEDS, AND IS THUS TRANSFORMED INTO ME, HIS KARMA IS DESTROYED. I WILL STAY BY HIS SIDE ALWAYS. –THIS IS SRI SAI’S PROMISE.
Then what is our duty? This thought, this recognition and this type of respect is the lamp you are going to light this year. In this effort every one light at least ten lamps. We will put the effort to take care of them.
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PARIPRASNA:ORIGIN BY BHAGAVAN SRI BHARADWAJA
Q:It was written that Mahatmas appear like mad persons, naked persons (Digambarulu). Please tell us how to recognize true Mahatmas from other mad and crazy people? Can you tell the Mahatmas who live close to our place?
A: Mahatmas can be recognized only by the meritorious actions of past birth and by Sadguru's grace. Elders say that either knowingly or unknowingly if we do service to Mahatmas in previous birth, then we will come across them in this birth.
The fact that intentional meritorious actions in this birth also can take us to their presence is proved by the experiences of the devotees. Of all these meritorious deeds the most powerful one is to pray Baba, express our intention for darshan and blessings of Mahatmas and do parayana of the holy text 'Sri Sai Leelamrutham '.
Parayana of 'Sri Guru Charitra 'and 'Sri Guru Geetha' are equally powerful. There are several instances about obtaining the Darshan of Mahatmas, which is mentioned in other books published by us like "Sri Sai Leelamrutham, Sri Akalkot swamy Charitra, Sri Paakalapaati Guruvugari Charitra, and Sadguru Jyothi." Similarly these can be seen in another publication "Sri Avadhootha Leela" that will be published in August.
All our Satsang members who do regular parayana of the life histories of the incarnations of Lord Dattatreya had Darshan and blessings of Mahatmas. In order to recognize the Muslim holy persons, one should read a special chapter in Quran by standing behind them, and then they will turn around and talk to us. Usually they will either hit or curse us. The reason being because of the prayer, they were forcibly turned into this outward world from their inward state. Unless specified by a known person these things are very dangerous to be performed .Devout reading of the life histories of the incarnations of Lord Dattatreya will result in the blessings and grace of these Mahatmas with out any problem. This is also from my personal experience for the last two decades. If we do parayana like this you can see clearly in the books mentioned above how Mahatmas will shower their blessings.
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SRI CHAITANYA SWAMYJI'S MESSAGE:
RA : RAKHSA
DWA : DWARAKAMAI (The place which can bestow four purushardhas)
JA : JANMA SARDHAKATHA .
THE PERSON WHO PROTECTS HIS DEVOTEES AND BESTOWS ON THEM PURUSHARDHAS AND MAKE THEM REALIZE THE TRUE MEANING OH HIS LIFE AND EXISTANCE IS NONE OTHER THAN BHAGAVAN SRI BHARADWAJA.
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ABOUT THIS EMAIL:
Sai Baba The Master is a newsletter started with the divine blessings of Divya janani Alivelumangatayaru garu . This newsletter is devoted to the life, philosophy and teachings of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates in its original form. The contents of the email are taken from the literature of Parama Pujya Acharya Sri EKKIRALA BHARADWAJA. This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of you have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative.
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