Sunday, July 29, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Good habits need to fostered over a long period of time
Aspirants, focus your yearning and efforts on the right goal - to be never born again. You may be born in a good family or in favourable circumstances; but subsequent Karma in this life, may not ensure a good death, one that will let you escape the cycle of birth and death. Every one born must have that end always in view. No tree will yield fruits the moment you plant the seedling in your backyard. To reach that stage, you have to foster it with care over a long period of time, is it not? Similarly whatever result you seek, you have to follow through carefully the preparatory disciplines, without any break. Cultivate good habits of thoughts and actions in order to make the end of your life genuinely auspicious.
- Geetha Vahini, Ch 15.
The essence of all noble scriptures
I
shall tell you just one thing, which is the essence of all noble
scriptures. I want you to resolve to follow this, every single day - “Do
not seek to find fault in others. Give up maligning and injuring
others in thought, word and deed. Do not scandalize anyone; do not feel
envy or malice. Be always sweet in temperament; use soft and sweet
words. Fill your conversations with devotion and humility.” Live in
Love, for love, with love. Then the Lord, who is Himself Divine Love
personified, will grant you all that you need, without you asking for
anything. He knows. He is the Mother who does not wait to hear the moan
of the child to feed it. He anticipates every need and rushes to you
with help that you must have in every occasion.
- Divine Discourse, Jul 13 1965
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Have you helped your mother wash the clothes?
One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial
position in a big company.
He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview,
made the last decision.
The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic
achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school
until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not
score.
The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the
youth answered "none".
The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school
fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year
old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.
The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered,
"My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth
to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth
and perfect.
The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the
clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted
me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash
clothes faster than me.
The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and
clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.*
The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he
went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands.
His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her
hands to the kid.
The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did
that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so
wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises
were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with
water.
This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of
hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school
fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother
had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.
After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly
washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.
That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.
The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you
tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"
The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished
cleaning all the remaining clothes'
The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings."
The youth said, Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my
mother, there would not the successful me today. Number 2, by working
together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and
tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate
the importance and value of family relationship.
The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my manager.
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a
person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a
person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are
hired.
Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect
of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team.
The company's performance improved tremendously.
A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he
wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put
himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he
starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when
he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his
employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who
may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but
eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be
full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective
parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid
instead?*
You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn
piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please
let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and
bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you
do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love
them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich
their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the
mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid
learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and
learns the ability to work with others to get things done.
You would have forwarded many mails to many and many of them would
have back mailed you too...but try and forward this story to as many
as possible...this may change somebody's fate...
position in a big company.
He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview,
made the last decision.
The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic
achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school
until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not
score.
The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the
youth answered "none".
The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school
fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year
old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.
The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered,
"My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth
to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth
and perfect.
The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the
clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted
me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash
clothes faster than me.
The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and
clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.*
The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he
went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands.
His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her
hands to the kid.
The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did
that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so
wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises
were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with
water.
This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of
hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school
fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother
had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.
After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly
washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.
That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.
The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you
tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"
The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished
cleaning all the remaining clothes'
The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings."
The youth said, Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my
mother, there would not the successful me today. Number 2, by working
together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and
tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate
the importance and value of family relationship.
The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my manager.
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a
person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a
person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are
hired.
Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect
of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team.
The company's performance improved tremendously.
A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he
wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put
himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he
starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when
he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his
employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who
may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but
eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be
full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective
parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid
instead?*
You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn
piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please
let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and
bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you
do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love
them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich
their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the
mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid
learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and
learns the ability to work with others to get things done.
You would have forwarded many mails to many and many of them would
have back mailed you too...but try and forward this story to as many
as possible...this may change somebody's fate...
Thursday, June 7, 2012
simple rules of living happily-each day is a gift-story
Each Day Is a Gift
The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.
Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.
As she maneuvered (an action, especially a devious or deceptive one, done to gain advantage) her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual descriptttion of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room …. just wait.”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life.”
She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.”
And with a smile, she said:
“Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.”
“Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.”
Friday, May 11, 2012
Hindu Blog: Sincerity of conviction and purity of motive will ...
Hindu Blog: Sincerity of conviction and purity of motive will ...: Everything that has selfishness for its basis, competition for its right hand, and enjoyment as its goal, must die sooner or later. W...
Sunday, April 29, 2012
pure love makes you feel as light as a flower
First, the human mind should be harmonized, then harmony of
Nature will spontaneously take place.
When you correct your inner vision through spiritual
practices, the already – waiting light of pure knowledge will dawn from within.
Pure love makes you feel as light as a flower. You won’t
feel any heaviness or burden. Ego creates the burden.
Patience is needed for success. If we sow a seed and then
regularly dig it up to see if it has germinated, it will never grow.
-Mata Amritanandamayi quotes
You need not learn all the shlokas
(verses) and the commentaries of the scriptures by heart or engage in
contest with other scholars and exhibit your scholarship. It is enough
even if you put one verse that suits your spiritual stage and appeals
to you the most, into practice. The first step will itself take you
nearer to the second step and the second will make the third step
easier, and so on until the end. Of what avail is medicine, if it is
poured into the ear? It has to be taken in, so that it might act and
strengthen the blood stream and restore health. Similarly, there is no
use in listening to spiritual discourses for hours. Take the lesson
in. Take it to heart and put it into practice. Apply it in daily life.
Realize the Divinity in you, that is the lesson.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 2, 1965.
Soft sweet speech is the expression of genuine love. -Baba
Soft sweet speech is the expression of genuine love. -Baba
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
THE POWER OF AFFIRMATIONS By Remez Sasson
Affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired situation, and which are repeated many times, in order to impress the subconscious mind and trigger it into positive action. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the affirmations, they have to be repeated with attention, conviction, interest and desire.
Imagine that you are swimming with your friends in a swimming pool. They swim fifteen rounds, something you have never done before, and as you want to win their respect, you want to show them that you can make it too. You start swimming, and at the same time keep repeating in your mind, "I can do it, I can do it...". You keep thinking and believing that you are going to complete the fifteen rounds. What are you actually doing? You are repeating positive affirmations.
Most people repeat in their minds negative words and statements concerning the situations and events in their lives, and consequently, create undesirable situations. Words and statements work at both ways, to build or destroy. It is the way we use them that determines whether they are going to bring good or harmful results.
Often, people repeat negative statements in their minds, without even being aware of what they are doing. Do you keep thinking and telling yourself that you cannot do something, you are too lazy, lack inner strength, or that you are going to fail? Your subconscious mind accepts as true what you keep saying, and eventually attracts corresponding events and situations into your life, irrespective whether they are good or bad for you, so why not choose only positive statements?
Affirmations program the mind in the same way that commands and scripts program a computer. The repeated words help you to focus your mind on your aim, and automatically build corresponding mental images in the conscious mind, which affect the subconscious mind, in a similar manner to creative visualization. The conscious mind, the mind you think with, starts this process, and then the subconscious mind takes charge. By using this process consciously and intently, you can affect your subconscious mind, and thereby, transform your habits, behavior, mental attitude, and reactions, and even reshape your external life.
Sometimes, results appear quickly, but often more time is required. Depending on your goal, sometimes, you might attain immediate results, and at other times, it might take days, weeks, months or more. Getting results depends on several factors, such as the time, focus, faith and feelings you invest in repeating your affirmations, on the strength of your desire, and on how big or small is your goal.
It is important to understand that repeating positive affirmations for a few minutes, and then thinking negatively the rest of the day, neutralizes the effects of the positive words. You have to refuse to think negative thoughts, if you wish to attain positive results.
Imagine that you are swimming with your friends in a swimming pool. They swim fifteen rounds, something you have never done before, and as you want to win their respect, you want to show them that you can make it too. You start swimming, and at the same time keep repeating in your mind, "I can do it, I can do it...". You keep thinking and believing that you are going to complete the fifteen rounds. What are you actually doing? You are repeating positive affirmations.
Most people repeat in their minds negative words and statements concerning the situations and events in their lives, and consequently, create undesirable situations. Words and statements work at both ways, to build or destroy. It is the way we use them that determines whether they are going to bring good or harmful results.
Often, people repeat negative statements in their minds, without even being aware of what they are doing. Do you keep thinking and telling yourself that you cannot do something, you are too lazy, lack inner strength, or that you are going to fail? Your subconscious mind accepts as true what you keep saying, and eventually attracts corresponding events and situations into your life, irrespective whether they are good or bad for you, so why not choose only positive statements?
Affirmations program the mind in the same way that commands and scripts program a computer. The repeated words help you to focus your mind on your aim, and automatically build corresponding mental images in the conscious mind, which affect the subconscious mind, in a similar manner to creative visualization. The conscious mind, the mind you think with, starts this process, and then the subconscious mind takes charge. By using this process consciously and intently, you can affect your subconscious mind, and thereby, transform your habits, behavior, mental attitude, and reactions, and even reshape your external life.
Sometimes, results appear quickly, but often more time is required. Depending on your goal, sometimes, you might attain immediate results, and at other times, it might take days, weeks, months or more. Getting results depends on several factors, such as the time, focus, faith and feelings you invest in repeating your affirmations, on the strength of your desire, and on how big or small is your goal.
It is important to understand that repeating positive affirmations for a few minutes, and then thinking negatively the rest of the day, neutralizes the effects of the positive words. You have to refuse to think negative thoughts, if you wish to attain positive results.
How to Repeat Affirmations
It is advisable to repeat affirmations that are not too long, as they are easier to remember. Repeat them every time your mind is not engaged in something important, such as while traveling in a bus or a train, waiting in line, walking, etc., but do not affirm while driving or crossing a street. You may also repeat them in special sessions of 5-10 minutes each, several times a day.
Relax any physical, emotional or mental tension while affirming. The stronger the concentration, the more faith you have in what you are doing, the more feelings you put into the act, the stronger and faster will be the results.
Choose only positive words, describing what you really want. If you desire to lose weight, do not tell yourself "I am not fat" or "I am losing weight." These are negative statements, bringing into the mind mental images of what you do not want. Say instead, "I am getting slim" or "I have reached my right weight". Such words evoke positive images in the mind.
Always affirm in the present tense, not the future tense. Saying, "I will be rich", means that you intend to be rich one day, in the indefinite future, but not now. It is more effective to say, and also feel, "I am rich now", and the subconscious mind will work at overtime to make this happen now, in the present.
The power of affirmations can help you to transform your life. By stating what you want to be true in your life, you mentally and emotionally see and feel it as true, irrespective of your current circumstances, and thereby attract it into your life.
Relax any physical, emotional or mental tension while affirming. The stronger the concentration, the more faith you have in what you are doing, the more feelings you put into the act, the stronger and faster will be the results.
Choose only positive words, describing what you really want. If you desire to lose weight, do not tell yourself "I am not fat" or "I am losing weight." These are negative statements, bringing into the mind mental images of what you do not want. Say instead, "I am getting slim" or "I have reached my right weight". Such words evoke positive images in the mind.
Always affirm in the present tense, not the future tense. Saying, "I will be rich", means that you intend to be rich one day, in the indefinite future, but not now. It is more effective to say, and also feel, "I am rich now", and the subconscious mind will work at overtime to make this happen now, in the present.
The power of affirmations can help you to transform your life. By stating what you want to be true in your life, you mentally and emotionally see and feel it as true, irrespective of your current circumstances, and thereby attract it into your life.
Positive Affirmations
- I am healthy and happy.
- Wealth is pouring into my life.
- I am sailing on the river of wealth.
- I am getting wealthier each day.
- My body is healthy and functioning in a very good way.
- I have a lot of energy.
- I study and comprehend fast.
- My mind is calm.
- I am calm and relaxed in every situation.
- My thoughts are under my control.
- I radiate love and happiness.
- I am surrounded by love.
- I have the perfect job for me.
- I am living in the house of my dreams.
- I have good and loving relations with my wife/husband.
- I have a wonderful and satisfying job.
- I have the means to travel abroad, whenever I want to.
- I am successful in whatever I do.
- Everything is getting better every day.
- Wealth is pouring into my life.
- I am sailing on the river of wealth.
- I am getting wealthier each day.
- My body is healthy and functioning in a very good way.
- I have a lot of energy.
- I study and comprehend fast.
- My mind is calm.
- I am calm and relaxed in every situation.
- My thoughts are under my control.
- I radiate love and happiness.
- I am surrounded by love.
- I have the perfect job for me.
- I am living in the house of my dreams.
- I have good and loving relations with my wife/husband.
- I have a wonderful and satisfying job.
- I have the means to travel abroad, whenever I want to.
- I am successful in whatever I do.
- Everything is getting better every day.
Monday, April 16, 2012
obtaining happiness from karma
Everybody aspires for happiness. Where is happiness? Without working hard, you cannot get happiness. During ancient times, people would offer their salutations to action (karma) before undertaking it; they chanted thasmai namah karmane (salutations to action). In India, some people follow this sacred tradition even today. A dancer salutes the anklets before tying them to the feet. Even an uneducated driver offers his obeisance to the steering wheel before driving the vehicle and some cricketers too, pay their respects to the ball before starting to bowl. First and foremost, offer respects and express gratitude to karma before undertaking it. Make it a practice every day. It will then give good results. Understand your duty and perform it to the best of your abilities. Then, you will earn the deservedness to experience happiness.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 15, 2003.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Hindu Blog: Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji on How to Control the Mind?
Hindu Blog: Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji on How to Control the Mind?: It is true that mind is so powerful to disturb us like anything. First of all, you have to allow your thoughts to flow in their own way...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
forget harm others have done to you
People are bereft of gratitude, which is not right. One should be grateful for the help they have received from others as long as one is alive. There are two things you must forget: the help you have rendered to others and the harm others have done to you. If you remember the help you have rendered, you will always expect something in return. Remembrance of the harm done to you by others generates in you a sense of revenge. You should remember only the help you received from others. The one with these sacred qualities is an ideal human being. Love is God, love is Nature, love is life and love is the true human value. Bereft of love, one is equivalent to a corpse. Love even the worst of your enemies. Lead a life filled with love. Then you will experience joy, peace and security in your heart.
- Divine Discourse, Mar 18, 1999.
- Divine Discourse, Mar 18, 1999.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Hindu Blog: Go on doing good, thinking holy thoughts continuou...
Hindu Blog: Go on doing good, thinking holy thoughts continuou...: Go on doing good, thinking holy thoughts continuously; that is the only way to suppress base impressions. Never say any man is hopeless, ...
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hindu Blog: Bhagavad Gita on why no improvement is seen even a...
Hindu Blog: Bhagavad Gita on why no improvement is seen even a...: All those who mechanically put in plenty of self effort do not necessarily succeed. Hundreds are those who complain that though they were re...
Friday, January 20, 2012
Brother Satyajit's talk on 25th Dec, 2011 at Sai Darshan –Bangalore
| Lakhsmisri Dhandapani | 8:33am Jan 20 |
Brother Satyajit's talk on 25th Dec, 2011 at Sai Darshan –Bangalore
Sai- The Divine Sculptor
(this was the topic he gave to his speech)
Dear Brothers and sisters, this is a very emotional moment for me to stand here today as memories flood in of me coming to this holy temple with Swami many times in the past , I remember my place was fixed by the side of the throne ( and he pointed the spot next to the throne) – I also got an opportunity to go to Swami's dining room here on the first floor where Swami has had so many lunches cooked by these loving Mothers of Sai Darshan.
On our way back to Parthi after watching many a drama enacted by the `Sai Darshan' Balvikas students, Swami used to appreciate and tell us all present in the car that these street children did such a wonderful job.
Today the topic I have chosen is Sai- The Divine Sculptor – the reason being that is I was always intrigued by the sculpture by Rodin – The Thinker – I used to wonder, what is he thinking? Perhaps he is thinking about his creator the sculptor.
Similarly I too am thinking about my sculptor – who chose me "this rock" to make a sculpture out of me. I was just a rock who Swami picked, and then he marked me for future sculpting. My journey started in the year 1991- I was a Mumbai boy a typical city boy of that age – It was on my fourth day in the Sathya Sai University in the Brindavan campus when during breakfast I whispered to my friend Sai Satish , " what is this we get only 4 idlis here – at home I used to eat 10 idlis!" After breakfast we were sitting for darshan and I was on the 3rd or 4th row Swami walked straight up to me , looked at me and said something which I could not follow , I went near and Swami repeated it and everybody behind me replied , "IDLI!!" I was shocked I thought Swami was asking what I ate for breakfast so I also said, `Idli Swami!' Swami said, "Kitna idli ?" (how many idlis?) I was shocked I and Sai Satish looked at each other in horror – Swami said, "Kya bola ? ghar mei das idli khata aur yahan khali char idli?"( what did u say? At home u ate 10 idlis and here u get only 4 idlis?) . I tried to be as diplomatic as ever and said, "No Swami these idli's are very big idlis – nice idlis!" I was fumbling with words, trying to be my diplomatic best. After that Swami did not speak to me for the next 5 years – my sculptor had marked the rock for future sculpting when the rock was ready for the hammer and tongs.
Then one day after 5 years -Swami suddenly hand picked me to distribute prasadam, I went in obediently and got the basin of prasadam. Swami asked me to give the basin to another boy and asked me to come to him. I was kneeling beside Swami's chair and swami was busy talking to another boy. I slowly placed my hand and put my palm underneath Swami's feet. Swami was all the while talking to the boy on the other side when suddenly His feet pressed my fingers with so much force that I could not believe that such dainty feet could actually press with so much force. This was the silent sculpting that He did in front of such a large audience on that day.
Then again Swami came and spoke to me – I was standing in the Brindavan campus, Swami walked passed me and whispered in my left ear very loudly , "COME WITH ME TO KODAIKANAL!" I was taken aback and my left ear drum almost burst out – I could not believe myself that I was to accompany Him to Kodai. It was bliss to have spent time with Swami.
On another occasion I was walking behind Swami to the dining room in the Brindavan campus – one big carton box was there, Swami told me to check what was in it – I opened one flap of it and saw that there were some pickle bottles there and I said, "Swami, pickles." Swami said, "Be careful – u might spill on ur dress, your dress will turn red" (all these conversation happened in telugu). I opened one bottle and closed it thinking, see Swami I can handle this – I am quite careful and efficient ! (my monkey mind) . We went inside the dining room and on our way back Swami again pointed to the same box and asked what was there inside the box, I again said in a matter of fact way, "Pickles, swami." Swami told me to check once again, so I opened the other flap and I saw that there were tomato sauce bottles on the other side of the box. I can never forget those plastic red bottles with white caps. Swami asked what it was, I said, "this is tomato sauce swami." Swami asked, "What is that? – ( as if He didn't know what tomato sauce was )– so I explained to Him that it was "Tomatopachadi , Swami." And I opened the cap to show it to Swami. No sooner had I opened the cap I was shocked because I have seen only Thum's up and Coca Cola fizz out like that, I had no idea that tomato sauce could fizz up like that and it messed up my entire white shirt and soon my white shirt was red and covered with sauce. I turned around and saw Swami was blissfully laughing and saying, "I told u ur shirt will become red, so I told u to be careful – I didn't say that it would become oily"
Another day – Swami told me to sit in the car with Him – we were going for a drive near the Brindavan campus. I ran and jumped into the car and I sat next to Swami in the back seat. On the way Swami asked in Hindi , "Swami se kya maangta hai?" ( what do u want from Swami?)
I said , " I want only Swami" Swami said, "Krishna maangta hai, Rama Maangta hai, kya maangta hai?"( u want to see Rama, Krishna – what do u want to see swami as ?)
I said, "I want only Swami"
He then asked, "narasimha dekhne ko maangta hai?" ( do u want to see the narasimha avatar)
I quickly said, "No Swami!"
Swami kept on pestering then I decided to say something non controversial I said, " Vishwaroopa darshan maangta hai Swami." ( I want to see ur Vishwaroopa Darshan)
I was thinking at that moment what could have Krishna shown to Arjuna that transformed him or did Krishna transformArjuna's vision that he started seeing the same things differently – all those thoughts were going on then in the mind of the 22 year old boy – Swami kept His hand out from the window, his palm was towards the window and
He said, "Roz dekhta hai – phir bhi puchtahai." (He sees everyday but still he is asking).
Then we returned back to Brindavan after the drive, Mrs. Indulal Shah was standing there, Swami was walking ahead of us and moving His right hand – I could see His hand moving from behind. She asked, "Kya hooa Swami – bache ne kya kiya?" (what happened Swami – what did the children do now ?) Swami said, "Swami ka kam karne ka mouka mila – bolta hai moksha chaiye!"(see they there getting opportunity to serve Swami and he is saying he wants liberation).
Now we were in our last year M.Sc and we were all running behind Swami's car and trying to catch every glimpse of Swami not knowing which will be our last darshan – As time was fast approaching for us to leave the university and seek opportunities outside of the institute. One day I was standing near the erstwhile Ganesh portico when Swami came and asked , "what do u want?" I said, "I want u swami!" Swami again said, "tell me what u want?" I thought to myself this is the best chance to stamp my MBA seat so I said, "Swami I want a seat here in MBA Swami!" Swami said, " U want MBA ? then go to the vice chancellor!" and showed me and sent me towards the VC . I then realized that my first answer was right – from God we must want only God – the moment we want something else He will send us there.
Another day – it was our routine then around 2.30 – 3 pm we would follow Swami to the interview room and then Swami would take us for tiffin. That day as I entered the interview room somebody whispered that Swami was already there – as I entered I saw Swami in the form I didn't want to see – the Narasimha Avatar form! ( He was in a bad mood). He had a letter in His hand. Swami looked at me furiously sometimes the sculptor uses hammer and tongs to do the sculpting, and asked, "where were u?" I didn't have the courage to tell Him that I was on time and that, Swami u came early! Swami showed me the letter some people from the hostel had written complaining about me saying that I was so talkative and how Swami chose me in spite of all this. He said, look what people r talking about u, even the hostel warden is complaining about u – I was extremely hurt; I fell on my knees and sobbed and cried – I was panting loudly – suddenly Swami just melted like butter, He held my neck and put my head on His chest – the moment my head touched His chest my sobs just vanished – all my pain just vanished and I was at peace. Then Swami asked me, "when u were a kid – did u not run around naked?" I smiled and said, "Yes Swami I might have" Swami said, "will u do that now?" I said, "no swami I wont do that now" Swami said, "See that was ur sahaja swabhav then – now r u ashamed to recollect it – No! similarly ur behavior before talking to swami was sahaja for that moment now after speaking to Swami that behaviour will no longer be sahaja then why should u be ashamed about it ? u did it because of agyana ." I still remember how lovingly Swami spoke to me and transformed that rock that day.
Earlier during morning darshan time I would pray to Swami to give morning darshan – I would plead and request Him saying, "please Swami lets go at least twice a week for morning darshan ; see people are coming from so far waiting for urdarshan !" Swami said, "do u know how much this body has worked, palli palli tirgan ra , ippudu e shariramu weak aayepoindi ra ( I have visited village to village, now this body is weak, ra ) hearing this I had in tears in my eyes and prayed to Swami to rest , I said "Swami you please rest Swami – we will do the work and u watch us work , Swami!"
Once a lady from Haryana group who were performing in front of swami shouted, "I love u Swami!" Swami said, "Love my words!" – Yes dear brothers and sisters we have to love and follow our sculptor's words – "BHAGAVAN OVAACHA", we have to keep reading – we don't know when we will come across that single line – that single stroke from our sculptor which will transform us. Till then we have to keep on reading. Thousands of years from now people will read Swami's words the way they read BHAGAWAT GITA today.
Those last three trying weeks when Swami was in the hospital – first week I was optimistic , I thought Swami will be alright- everyday I dreamt of Swami walking around me and talking to me like before, then the second week I dreamt that Swami was lying in the hospital bed not well and in the last week I stopped getting any dreams of Him – When Swami stopped coming in my dreams the third week I knew something was amiss, I realized that Swami was not coming to my dreams and talking to me , I ran to Swami's bed in the hospital and cried and begged Swami to come and give me a message and talk to me - I hadn't slept for a 3-4 days at a stretch and on 23rd April I felt little tired , so I thought of taking a quick nap – No sooner had I slept for 5 mins I heard Swami's voice very sharply like the first time He spoke in my left ear ( Come to Kodaikanal), this time in my right ear Swami said very loudly as if my right ear drum would explode, "BE CAREFUL!" I woke up with a start and ran to Swami's room but something inside me said that this was not good news.
Recently 4 days after the Swami's Mahasamadhi was opened I was weeping and sobbing at the Samadhi in a similar fashion as in the interview room a long long time ago– but the moment my head touched the marble slab of the Samadhi I immediately stopped crying and felt the same peace I felt that day in the interview room when Swami had touched my forehead to His chest– Yes Swami is still very much there with us!
During the Birthday celebration I could not sleep for 10 days I was in a bad shape, I have been going in and out of depression since the time Swami has left His physical form– my bed was never rolled – days and nights I would be awake – during Swami's birthday on 23rd Nov. an incident happened which I want to share - we were busy decorating the jhula, on which Swami used to recline.
On Swami's B'day myself and a few other boys made a ritual where we go to the Yajur mandir and light a lamp in Swamis room. On this day we sang a bhajan and also played a bhajan sung by Swami so that we could hear Swami's voice in that very same room again, sat there a few minutes. While we were sitting there I dozed off and I had a dream of Swami. The dream was of me lying dead on the floor and Swami is giving me CPR. Suddenly I woke up – and i realize, BROTHERS IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP! TAKE THIS MISSION THAT SWAMI HAS STARTED FORWARD.
We are very blessed that we could enjoy and be in the presence of A LIVING GOD – Those whose lives He has touched can no longer lead ordinary lives. "THERE IS NO ORDINARY LIFE FOR US BROTHERS". He has touched all of us and made our lives extraordinary. It is now our turn to carry forward the work started by Him and yes we have to love His words all the time. He is very much with us all the time. His words will rule the world for the next million years. These memories will always be with us and energise us whenever we feel low – these memories will take us ahead. There is no ordinary life for us!
Sairam
Sai- The Divine Sculptor
(this was the topic he gave to his speech)
Dear Brothers and sisters, this is a very emotional moment for me to stand here today as memories flood in of me coming to this holy temple with Swami many times in the past , I remember my place was fixed by the side of the throne ( and he pointed the spot next to the throne) – I also got an opportunity to go to Swami's dining room here on the first floor where Swami has had so many lunches cooked by these loving Mothers of Sai Darshan.
On our way back to Parthi after watching many a drama enacted by the `Sai Darshan' Balvikas students, Swami used to appreciate and tell us all present in the car that these street children did such a wonderful job.
Today the topic I have chosen is Sai- The Divine Sculptor – the reason being that is I was always intrigued by the sculpture by Rodin – The Thinker – I used to wonder, what is he thinking? Perhaps he is thinking about his creator the sculptor.
Similarly I too am thinking about my sculptor – who chose me "this rock" to make a sculpture out of me. I was just a rock who Swami picked, and then he marked me for future sculpting. My journey started in the year 1991- I was a Mumbai boy a typical city boy of that age – It was on my fourth day in the Sathya Sai University in the Brindavan campus when during breakfast I whispered to my friend Sai Satish , " what is this we get only 4 idlis here – at home I used to eat 10 idlis!" After breakfast we were sitting for darshan and I was on the 3rd or 4th row Swami walked straight up to me , looked at me and said something which I could not follow , I went near and Swami repeated it and everybody behind me replied , "IDLI!!" I was shocked I thought Swami was asking what I ate for breakfast so I also said, `Idli Swami!' Swami said, "Kitna idli ?" (how many idlis?) I was shocked I and Sai Satish looked at each other in horror – Swami said, "Kya bola ? ghar mei das idli khata aur yahan khali char idli?"( what did u say? At home u ate 10 idlis and here u get only 4 idlis?) . I tried to be as diplomatic as ever and said, "No Swami these idli's are very big idlis – nice idlis!" I was fumbling with words, trying to be my diplomatic best. After that Swami did not speak to me for the next 5 years – my sculptor had marked the rock for future sculpting when the rock was ready for the hammer and tongs.
Then one day after 5 years -Swami suddenly hand picked me to distribute prasadam, I went in obediently and got the basin of prasadam. Swami asked me to give the basin to another boy and asked me to come to him. I was kneeling beside Swami's chair and swami was busy talking to another boy. I slowly placed my hand and put my palm underneath Swami's feet. Swami was all the while talking to the boy on the other side when suddenly His feet pressed my fingers with so much force that I could not believe that such dainty feet could actually press with so much force. This was the silent sculpting that He did in front of such a large audience on that day.
Then again Swami came and spoke to me – I was standing in the Brindavan campus, Swami walked passed me and whispered in my left ear very loudly , "COME WITH ME TO KODAIKANAL!" I was taken aback and my left ear drum almost burst out – I could not believe myself that I was to accompany Him to Kodai. It was bliss to have spent time with Swami.
On another occasion I was walking behind Swami to the dining room in the Brindavan campus – one big carton box was there, Swami told me to check what was in it – I opened one flap of it and saw that there were some pickle bottles there and I said, "Swami, pickles." Swami said, "Be careful – u might spill on ur dress, your dress will turn red" (all these conversation happened in telugu). I opened one bottle and closed it thinking, see Swami I can handle this – I am quite careful and efficient ! (my monkey mind) . We went inside the dining room and on our way back Swami again pointed to the same box and asked what was there inside the box, I again said in a matter of fact way, "Pickles, swami." Swami told me to check once again, so I opened the other flap and I saw that there were tomato sauce bottles on the other side of the box. I can never forget those plastic red bottles with white caps. Swami asked what it was, I said, "this is tomato sauce swami." Swami asked, "What is that? – ( as if He didn't know what tomato sauce was )– so I explained to Him that it was "Tomatopachadi , Swami." And I opened the cap to show it to Swami. No sooner had I opened the cap I was shocked because I have seen only Thum's up and Coca Cola fizz out like that, I had no idea that tomato sauce could fizz up like that and it messed up my entire white shirt and soon my white shirt was red and covered with sauce. I turned around and saw Swami was blissfully laughing and saying, "I told u ur shirt will become red, so I told u to be careful – I didn't say that it would become oily"
Another day – Swami told me to sit in the car with Him – we were going for a drive near the Brindavan campus. I ran and jumped into the car and I sat next to Swami in the back seat. On the way Swami asked in Hindi , "Swami se kya maangta hai?" ( what do u want from Swami?)
I said , " I want only Swami" Swami said, "Krishna maangta hai, Rama Maangta hai, kya maangta hai?"( u want to see Rama, Krishna – what do u want to see swami as ?)
I said, "I want only Swami"
He then asked, "narasimha dekhne ko maangta hai?" ( do u want to see the narasimha avatar)
I quickly said, "No Swami!"
Swami kept on pestering then I decided to say something non controversial I said, " Vishwaroopa darshan maangta hai Swami." ( I want to see ur Vishwaroopa Darshan)
I was thinking at that moment what could have Krishna shown to Arjuna that transformed him or did Krishna transformArjuna's vision that he started seeing the same things differently – all those thoughts were going on then in the mind of the 22 year old boy – Swami kept His hand out from the window, his palm was towards the window and
He said, "Roz dekhta hai – phir bhi puchtahai." (He sees everyday but still he is asking).
Then we returned back to Brindavan after the drive, Mrs. Indulal Shah was standing there, Swami was walking ahead of us and moving His right hand – I could see His hand moving from behind. She asked, "Kya hooa Swami – bache ne kya kiya?" (what happened Swami – what did the children do now ?) Swami said, "Swami ka kam karne ka mouka mila – bolta hai moksha chaiye!"(see they there getting opportunity to serve Swami and he is saying he wants liberation).
Now we were in our last year M.Sc and we were all running behind Swami's car and trying to catch every glimpse of Swami not knowing which will be our last darshan – As time was fast approaching for us to leave the university and seek opportunities outside of the institute. One day I was standing near the erstwhile Ganesh portico when Swami came and asked , "what do u want?" I said, "I want u swami!" Swami again said, "tell me what u want?" I thought to myself this is the best chance to stamp my MBA seat so I said, "Swami I want a seat here in MBA Swami!" Swami said, " U want MBA ? then go to the vice chancellor!" and showed me and sent me towards the VC . I then realized that my first answer was right – from God we must want only God – the moment we want something else He will send us there.
Another day – it was our routine then around 2.30 – 3 pm we would follow Swami to the interview room and then Swami would take us for tiffin. That day as I entered the interview room somebody whispered that Swami was already there – as I entered I saw Swami in the form I didn't want to see – the Narasimha Avatar form! ( He was in a bad mood). He had a letter in His hand. Swami looked at me furiously sometimes the sculptor uses hammer and tongs to do the sculpting, and asked, "where were u?" I didn't have the courage to tell Him that I was on time and that, Swami u came early! Swami showed me the letter some people from the hostel had written complaining about me saying that I was so talkative and how Swami chose me in spite of all this. He said, look what people r talking about u, even the hostel warden is complaining about u – I was extremely hurt; I fell on my knees and sobbed and cried – I was panting loudly – suddenly Swami just melted like butter, He held my neck and put my head on His chest – the moment my head touched His chest my sobs just vanished – all my pain just vanished and I was at peace. Then Swami asked me, "when u were a kid – did u not run around naked?" I smiled and said, "Yes Swami I might have" Swami said, "will u do that now?" I said, "no swami I wont do that now" Swami said, "See that was ur sahaja swabhav then – now r u ashamed to recollect it – No! similarly ur behavior before talking to swami was sahaja for that moment now after speaking to Swami that behaviour will no longer be sahaja then why should u be ashamed about it ? u did it because of agyana ." I still remember how lovingly Swami spoke to me and transformed that rock that day.
Earlier during morning darshan time I would pray to Swami to give morning darshan – I would plead and request Him saying, "please Swami lets go at least twice a week for morning darshan ; see people are coming from so far waiting for urdarshan !" Swami said, "do u know how much this body has worked, palli palli tirgan ra , ippudu e shariramu weak aayepoindi ra ( I have visited village to village, now this body is weak, ra ) hearing this I had in tears in my eyes and prayed to Swami to rest , I said "Swami you please rest Swami – we will do the work and u watch us work , Swami!"
Once a lady from Haryana group who were performing in front of swami shouted, "I love u Swami!" Swami said, "Love my words!" – Yes dear brothers and sisters we have to love and follow our sculptor's words – "BHAGAVAN OVAACHA", we have to keep reading – we don't know when we will come across that single line – that single stroke from our sculptor which will transform us. Till then we have to keep on reading. Thousands of years from now people will read Swami's words the way they read BHAGAWAT GITA today.
Those last three trying weeks when Swami was in the hospital – first week I was optimistic , I thought Swami will be alright- everyday I dreamt of Swami walking around me and talking to me like before, then the second week I dreamt that Swami was lying in the hospital bed not well and in the last week I stopped getting any dreams of Him – When Swami stopped coming in my dreams the third week I knew something was amiss, I realized that Swami was not coming to my dreams and talking to me , I ran to Swami's bed in the hospital and cried and begged Swami to come and give me a message and talk to me - I hadn't slept for a 3-4 days at a stretch and on 23rd April I felt little tired , so I thought of taking a quick nap – No sooner had I slept for 5 mins I heard Swami's voice very sharply like the first time He spoke in my left ear ( Come to Kodaikanal), this time in my right ear Swami said very loudly as if my right ear drum would explode, "BE CAREFUL!" I woke up with a start and ran to Swami's room but something inside me said that this was not good news.
Recently 4 days after the Swami's Mahasamadhi was opened I was weeping and sobbing at the Samadhi in a similar fashion as in the interview room a long long time ago– but the moment my head touched the marble slab of the Samadhi I immediately stopped crying and felt the same peace I felt that day in the interview room when Swami had touched my forehead to His chest– Yes Swami is still very much there with us!
During the Birthday celebration I could not sleep for 10 days I was in a bad shape, I have been going in and out of depression since the time Swami has left His physical form– my bed was never rolled – days and nights I would be awake – during Swami's birthday on 23rd Nov. an incident happened which I want to share - we were busy decorating the jhula, on which Swami used to recline.
On Swami's B'day myself and a few other boys made a ritual where we go to the Yajur mandir and light a lamp in Swamis room. On this day we sang a bhajan and also played a bhajan sung by Swami so that we could hear Swami's voice in that very same room again, sat there a few minutes. While we were sitting there I dozed off and I had a dream of Swami. The dream was of me lying dead on the floor and Swami is giving me CPR. Suddenly I woke up – and i realize, BROTHERS IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP! TAKE THIS MISSION THAT SWAMI HAS STARTED FORWARD.
We are very blessed that we could enjoy and be in the presence of A LIVING GOD – Those whose lives He has touched can no longer lead ordinary lives. "THERE IS NO ORDINARY LIFE FOR US BROTHERS". He has touched all of us and made our lives extraordinary. It is now our turn to carry forward the work started by Him and yes we have to love His words all the time. He is very much with us all the time. His words will rule the world for the next million years. These memories will always be with us and energise us whenever we feel low – these memories will take us ahead. There is no ordinary life for us!
Sairam
Monday, January 16, 2012
story told by Swami Vivekananda
Story told by Swami Vivekananda
There was once a minister to a great king. He fell into disgrace. The king, as a punishment, ordered him to be shut up in the top of a very high tower. This was done, and the minister was left there to perish. Minister had a faithful wife, however, who came to the tower at night and called to her husband at the top to know what she could do to help him. He told her to return to the tower the following night and bring with her a long rope, some stout twine, pack thread, silken thread, a beetle, and a little honey.
The good wife obeyed her husband, and brought him the desired articles.
The husband directed her to attach the silken thread firmly to the beetle, then to smear its horns with a drop of honey, and to set it free on the wall of the tower, with its head pointing upwards. She obeyed all these instructions, and the beetle started on its long journey. Smelling the honey ahead it slowly crept onwards, in the hope of reaching the honey, until at last it reached to top of the tower, when the minister grasped the beetle, and got possession of the silken thread.
He told his wife to tie the other end to the pack thread, and after he had drawn up the pack thread, he repeated the process with the stout twine, and lastly with the rope. Then the rest was easy. The minister descended from the tower by means of the rope, and made his escape.
In this body of ours the breath motion is the silken thread; by laying hold of and learning to control it we grasp the pack thread of the nerve currents, and from these the stout twine of our thoughts, and lastly the rope of Prana, controlling which we reach freedom. This is the secret behind Pranayama. ********
National Youth Day:
In 1984, the Government of India with the view that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth, declared the birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 January, according to the English calendar) as a National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards.
Words worth Millions All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind. Swami Vivekananda 12 January 1863 to 4 July 1902
There was once a minister to a great king. He fell into disgrace. The king, as a punishment, ordered him to be shut up in the top of a very high tower. This was done, and the minister was left there to perish. Minister had a faithful wife, however, who came to the tower at night and called to her husband at the top to know what she could do to help him. He told her to return to the tower the following night and bring with her a long rope, some stout twine, pack thread, silken thread, a beetle, and a little honey.
The good wife obeyed her husband, and brought him the desired articles.
The husband directed her to attach the silken thread firmly to the beetle, then to smear its horns with a drop of honey, and to set it free on the wall of the tower, with its head pointing upwards. She obeyed all these instructions, and the beetle started on its long journey. Smelling the honey ahead it slowly crept onwards, in the hope of reaching the honey, until at last it reached to top of the tower, when the minister grasped the beetle, and got possession of the silken thread.
He told his wife to tie the other end to the pack thread, and after he had drawn up the pack thread, he repeated the process with the stout twine, and lastly with the rope. Then the rest was easy. The minister descended from the tower by means of the rope, and made his escape.
In this body of ours the breath motion is the silken thread; by laying hold of and learning to control it we grasp the pack thread of the nerve currents, and from these the stout twine of our thoughts, and lastly the rope of Prana, controlling which we reach freedom. This is the secret behind Pranayama. ********
National Youth Day:
In 1984, the Government of India with the view that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth, declared the birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 January, according to the English calendar) as a National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards.
Words worth Millions All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind. Swami Vivekananda 12 January 1863 to 4 July 1902
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