Sri Sathya Sai On: Sri Annamacharya

Sri Annamacharya (1408-1503)

Annamacharya, the composer, sang many songs in which he hailed God as his sole refuge and support. Later he had the realisation that he had been trying to deceive God by his words. Then a great change came over him. We should realise that we cannot please God by our books or our songs or by our learning and scholarship. Nor is it possible to please God by intellectual eminence or clever tricks. Annamacharya declared, “The degree of everyone’s (spiritual) attainment depends on the nature of his thoughts. Oh Lord! Whatever the feeling with which one envisages You, You appear to him within that form”. Divine Grace is in proportion to the measure of your devotion. You can take from the vast ocean only the amount of water your vessel can contain.

- “Wealth or Grace?”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 31,

 July 17, 1988, Prasanthi Nilayam

No distinction should be made between Siva and Vishnu. The composer Annamacharya declared, “While uttering Linga! Linga! Sivalinga! Do not forget, Oh man! Ranga! Both are one”. Whether the vehicle of the Lord is a bull or an eagle, the Lord is one and the same. Annamacharya indicated how this Lord is to be worshipped. To perform ablutions for the idol of the Lord he went in search of pure and sacred water. He could not find it in the Ganga, which was polluted by water coming from the mouths of fish and frogs. He lamented over his inability to get completely pure, unpolluted water from any source. He declared, “The only pure water with which I can wash your Linga, Oh Siva, is that coming from my tear-filled eyes, which have been moved by the devotion in my heart filled with the sense of utter dedication to the Lord”.  Annamacharya felt that only the tears filled with love of the Lord are pure enough for washing the Lord’s idol.

Each devotee has his own conception of the Divine. No single specific form can be ascribed to the Lord. The Lord’s grace is conferred on each devotee according to the level of his spiritual consciousness. Annamacharya exclaimed, “Oh Lord! You appear to each devotee according to the nature and measure of his realisation”.

- “What the Avatars Mean”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 23, February 23, 1990, Prasanthi Nilayam

Annamacharya hailed the feet of the Lord as those which had been washed by Brahma himself which are of Brahman Itself, which bear the burdens of the entire universe, and the burden of all human bodies. How is this done? The Divine is Purna-Swarupa (All-encompassing form). Just as the feet of the individual bear the burden of the human body, the subtle body of the Divine bears on its feet the entire universe. Without the feet the body cannot move. 

Recognizing that the macrocosm and microcosm are constituted by the same five basic elements, man should realise that the Divine is present in everything. Hence, man should chant the name of the Lord from the core of his heart and take refuge in the feet of the Lord. Annamacharya declared, “Oh mind! Take refuge in the lotus feet of the Lord. They will relieve you of all your miseries and lead you to the Divine”.

- “Glory of the Lord’s Lotus Feet”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 26, October 7, 1993, Prasanthi Nilayam

Each one can explore the Truth of God only as far as his capacity; moral, intellectual and mental, and delve into the mystery. One can collect from the ocean only as much water as his vessel holds. God is immeasurably vast; He is beyond the reach of the most daring imagination. A pupil of a particular standard in school has to study the texts prescribed for pupils of that level of intelligence. Annamacharya, the mystic poet, realised the limitation imposed by one’s own failings, He sang:

“To what extent our minds do reach,

To that extent your vision we get”.

- “The Message of Shivarathri”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 17, February 29, 1984, Prasanthi Nilayam

The Saint Annamacharya sang, ‘Enta Maatramuna Evaru Talachina Anta Maatrame Neevu’ (Whatever form and attitude You are pictured with, You assume that form).

- “Krishna and Balarama in Mathura”, 

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1995, Brindavan

Note: Annamayya was born in 1408 at Tallapaka in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. A prolific Vaishnavite saint-composer, he is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s Nandaka (sword). He composed 32,000 Keertanas (devotional songs) in praise of Sri Venkateshwara, the Lord of Tirupati. These strongly influenced Carnatic music compositions and continue to act as a beacon light for the present-day society by advocating practice of human values. He was honoured with the title of ‘Andhra Pada Kavita Pitamaha’ (Godfather of Telugu form of poetry) and is regarded as the first ‘Vaggeyakara’ (a person who can compose lyrics, music and sing) of Telugu Literature. In his Keertanas, he espoused themes of morality, devotion, Divine Love, and opposition towards untouchability. He lived for 94 years and merged in the Lord in 1503 at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Maha Purushas

Lessons Learnt From Sri Sathya Sai – By Dr. Sunil Adurty

Sunil with Sri Sathya Sai

It was in the year 2005, the month of February, when a few senior boys gathered together to put up a Kavi Sammelan programme for Bhagavan. The permission was sought from Swami to put up the programme. All the participants were eager to present their poems to the Master. It was at 2.00 pm in the afternoon that we all had assembled in Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagavan also promptly arrived and, with eagerness, asked all of us if the arrangements had been properly made. We answered that we were ready. The Vedam chanting was going on and Bhagavan insisted on our sitting on the chairs. Some of us ran to the nearby garage, got the chairs and arranged them in a way that all the participants faced Swami. The programme went on very well and Swami was very happy. Later, He called us individually and gave Padanamaskar. At that point of time, I got an opportunity to ask Swami something very profound: “Swami kindly keep me always with You”. Swami was very happy with the prayer and gave an assurance that He would! Later, many events took place in my life where Swami made sure that I continued to be with Him physically and mentally. Once the Lord gives His assurance the rest is taken care of!

I recall a beautiful blessing which Bhagavan bestowed on us through a senior student who had completed three years of education at Puttaparthi. He asked Bhagavan, “Swami, the three years spent at Your Lotus Feet have come to an end and now we are going to the world outside. How can we experience You when we are far from you physically? The moment we see You, we feel happy. But once we go out we lose access to Your physical form”. Then Swami made a revealing statement, “During the stay in Swami’s Institutions, you experience Swami, imbibe insights and you cherish all those experiences. This automatically will make you feel happy and experience My presence”. It is true indeed! That is why Satsang (noble company) gives us great inner strength. Cherishing the experiences and memories spent at His feet keeps us tuned to Him at all times.

Sri Sathya Sai In Kodaikanal

Let me recall one incident that happened in Kodaikanal. When the first batch of MBA students accompanied Bhagavan to Kodaikanal, they had blissful sessions with Swami. During one of the sessions Swami was pulling each student’s leg, saying that they did not do well in their examinations; that they did not get good marks in their entrance examination. One student got up courageously and asked Swami, “Swami does one get a seat in Your Institute by dint of merit or Your grace?” Then Swami wonderfully replied, “Even merit is also grace, sir”. Yes, it is very true. Imagine, if a topper’s mind goes blank in his examination, will he be an achiever? We should understand that it is all by the grace of Bhagavan we succeed in life. 

My father constructed a new house in 1984. The area where the house was constructed was a little hilly and there were water problems. Every day he had to go one kilometre on the bicycle for fetching water. So he decided later to drill a bore well. All the neighbours had tried to drill but none of them could succeed in getting water. But still my father courageously stuck to the decision of digging a bore well. Even though the drilling was done up to 300 feet, there was no sign of water. Later one of my father’s colleagues advised him to pray to Sai Baba of Shirdi and assured that his prayers would be answered. As advised he prayed to Sai Baba, “Baba, please give us water and I will come to Shirdi to have Your Darshan”. The very next morning, to his utter surprise the water level rose to 150 feet, which was possible with His Grace alone. He then decided to visit Shirdi. My father went to Shirdi and there in Darshan line he met a person who happened to be the Convener of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samiti in our locality. He spoke to my father about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, saying that He is none other than the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi. In this way Swami entered our family and sowed the seeds of devotion in our hearts. We used to participate in Bhajans and service activities regularly. My mother saw Vibhuti, Kumkum, etc., coming from Swami’s photos at various places. She prayed to Swami to bless us with such experiences at our home. It was summer vacation and she, being a teacher, was correcting the answer scripts. To our utter astonishment, we observed honey flowing out from Swami’s photo and then my mother revealed to us what she had prayed for. Just think of Swami and you have His response instantaneously. It is a wonderful blessing to have such a magnificent Lord!

Right from my childhood days, I had only one goal; to get into Swami’s institution. Religiously I applied to Swami’s institution right from my first standard to get a seat but in vain. In the summer of 1999, after my board examinations, I got an opportunity to serve at Prasanthi Nilayam as part of the Andhra Pradesh Seva Dal service. After the Seva, we went to Brindavan to take Swami’s blessings, as Swami used to stay there during the summers. We arranged ourselves for Darshan in lines and Swami came to each one of us and blessed us with Padanamaskar and Vibhuti. When my turn came, I asked Swami, “Please grant me an opportunity to study in Your College”. Swami replied, “It is not My College; it is our College, come and study happily”. I applied for the eleventh standard in Puttaparthi but could not get selected. Even though I felt dejected, I applied for B.Sc. (Hons.) course after my 12th standard and got selected to study at Brindavan. Only then did I realise that I had asked Swami for a seat in College and not in school. I learnt my first lesson that we have to be very careful in asking anything to God. He blesses us very lovingly but we have to bear the consequences for what we have asked for. After that I always prayed, “Swami please give me true devotion and strength to accept and obey Your will”.

Sri Sathya Sai in Trayee Brindavan

During one of the Trayee sessions in Brindavan, Swami beckoned students to ask questions. One boy asked, “Swami, we have come here due to our past good Karmas. What is the Sadhana we have to do after we come here?” Swami smiled and replied, “For all the students the greatest Sadhana they can do is to follow the Hostel rules and earn Swami’s grace”. Many times in His discourses, Bhagavan explained the need for controlling our senses. At this young age our mind is very fickle and Swami has set this Hostel schedule so meticulously that we do not remain idle. We engage in studies and in various self-reliance activities. Just as we have to follow the rules once we are on the playground to play a game; similarly, we enter a playground when we come to Sai Institutions from far off places to learn Swami’s teachings and imbibe the right way of life. So it is very important to follow the guidelines set by Swami in the Hostel so that we can fare well in the game of life once we enter the world outside.

Swami also talks about the importance of Seva (service). I would like to narrate an incident that had happened in Sai Kulwant Hall in this context. One fine day, Swami asked a few students to take Prasadam and distribute it. Once the distribution was finished, Swami asked the students, “Why do you think I ask you to distribute Prasadam?” Students replied, “We feel that you are giving us a great blessing!” Swami then said, “The important thing you should note is the supreme value of Seva you perform. Whenever you are in distress and call out to Me, I will remember your act of service and rush to your rescue immediately”. What a wonderful Lord He is! He insists on our doing Seva so that He in turn can do Seva to us! Since these opportunities are available in Sri Sathya Sai Institutions and organizations in plenty, let us avail ourselves of them: be it serving in Dining Hall or helping our fellow students in self-reliance departments. The Lord meticulously takes into account every act of our service and showers His Grace accordingly. We see that the students who pass out of our Institute reach great heights for this very reason. 

Let me share with you the supreme significance of Swami’s words. I was admitted into the hospital on account of high fever during my second year of post-graduation. I was very upset as the doctor diagnosed it as tuberculosis. Swami said, “Tomorrow morning everything will become normal”. Believe me or not, the next morning my body temperature read 98.4 F. His one word can turn chaos into order! Thus, the grace of God is like an anesthesia that can nullify the suffering. Hence, it is very important to put sincere efforts to earn God’s grace. It was the time when I was supposed to choose my honors subject in my graduation among the subjects – Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Something within prompted me to take chemistry and I acted accordingly. I finished my under graduation, post-graduation, M.Phil. and also started my Ph.D. in Chemistry. On one occasion in 2009, Swami asked me about my studies and then I promptly replied that I was pursuing my Ph.D. in Chemistry. Swami replied, “Physics would have been tough for you. You opted for the right choice by selecting Chemistry, listening to the voice within”. After listening to Bhagavan, I was confused about what He meant. I went back to the Hostel, opened my diary, and then I remembered about the dilemma I faced and the decision I took by following my inner conscience. Yes! Though Swami is not physically present with us, He always guides us in many unseen ways, for we have to silence our mind and tune to Him.

- Dr. Sunil Adurty

Student and Research Scholar (2001-2013), Department of Chemistry

Currently, Assistant Professor – Research, Department of Chemistry

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Brindavan, Bengaluru

Source: Sai Nandana 2015 (90th Birthday Offering)

Conversations with Sri Sathya Sai on the Chennai Water Supply Project - Part 2

February 16, 2002 (Saturday)

Swami came out to the Ganesh portico and sat on the chair. He started talking about the Chennai Water Supply Project.

Swami : The Chennai government has agreed for the Water Supply Project. It is going to cost around 700 crores. (1 crore is 1,00,00,000) The engineers are very good people.

Swami went to the interview room to get the report of the planned project sent by the Chennai government. Swami opened the report and showed the map in which the places where the project was to be taken up. Swami mentioned about the Veeranam tank (a major tank attached to the Chidambaram Division of South Arcot in Tamil Nadu) from which water is to be supplied. Some of the places that would receive the water were the Cuddalore and Kanchipuram districts. Swami hinted that it would be a very difficult job to get the water from the Godavari river.

Swami then summoned someone to get the letter which was sent by a resident of the U.S. Swami showed it to some of the teachers present there. Swami then asked Prof. Anil Kumar to read out the contents of the project report. The report contained the extent to which the project was planned, the amount of water that would be available for drinking, the places which would receive it, the water treatment plant, the process of treatment, the type of pipes which are to be used, etc. The total project would cost Rs 720 crores including overheads and around Rs 635 crores without overheads. One of the teachers asked Swami whether this water project was for Kurnool, Chittoor, etc. Swami said that those were different from the Chennai project.

The Sathya Sai Water Supply Project to Chennai

Swami : The chief engineers (retired) and government engineers are coming from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to discuss about the project and finalise it by Shivaratri. Many people are ready to work for this project. 

V. C. : Swami, around 60 lakh people will be getting that water.

Swami : 80 lakh people will be getting; it might even go to one crore. Giving water to one crore people is a highly meritorious deed indeed. Without asking Me they kept My name for the project. (The Water Project was named as Sathya Sai Ganga.)

Prof. A. K. : Swami, nobody else is capable of taking up such projects except You. Swami, how big is this project compared to the water supply project of the Rayalseema area.

Swami : It is three times more than that. A project of around 1,000 crores looks like a small number for them. Three zeros and a ‘one’ beside it.

Swami then got up and went to the birthday boys and blessed them. He then proceeded towards the interview room.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2001-2004)

Sri Sathya Sai Addresses the Regional Conference of Lions International at Bombay

January 22-23, 1983

Bhagavan reached Bombay from Madras on 21st January 1983. Bhagavan graced as the Guest of Honour, a Regional Conference of the Lion’s Club held at the Cricket Club of India at Marine Drive on 22nd January. He addressed the elite of Bombay and complimented the Lions on their good humanitarian work. He gave away awards to heads of many clubs for their commendable service. During the Discourse, He said:

“Living in this land of Bharat with its rich rewarding culture but yet not absorbing its broad all-inclusive insight, not delving into the secrets of its survival and freshness, how can anyone achieve progress and ensure the peace and prosperity of the world? Uttering the voice of peace while shattering by deeds all hopes of establishing it can only be termed as deceiving oneself. World progress is not an abstract ideal; it means series of concrete achievements in the community of nations, the diversity of societies and the entities of individuals. Each of these has to march forward to the same goal, in concord and with cooperative effort.

Despite the amazing victories that man has won over the forces of nature, man has yet to win peace and joy, for himself and his fellowmen. For, these can be gained only by the mastery of the inner impulses and the sublimation of the inner emotions.

Lions have as their motto, "Together, we serve better." This togetherness inspires mutual help and service. It must inspire those who serve and those who are served and bring both into the bond of Love.

Man is no more the master, but the slave of habits

The path of Love and Service is not smooth: it abounds in struggle and disappointments. Life itself is a pendulum between sighs and smiles. But, every obstacle is an invitation to your intelligence. "Life is a challenge; meet it! Life is a dream; realise it."

Mankind is terrified by a crowd of problems at the present time-- scientific, technological, economic and moral. These cannot be solved by material means alone. Mental transformation too must happen. The ideals laid down by the seers who moulded our cultural tradition must be honoured and practised. They hold before the eyes the means to fulfil the years of life, not through the multiplication of material comforts, but through serenity and simplicity. Bigger mansions, swell cars, rare luxuries are eagerly sought after Man is no more the master; he is the slave of the habits, the pleasures and the riches he runs after He counts the number of years he has grown; he forgets that each year, his life-period is being shortened. Erudition sans humility, expertise sans discrimination, work sans wisdom, life sans love, music sans melody can never receive honour in the community.

When virtues are few and studies are huge

What is the gain, what is their worth?

When desert land one has acres ten,

What is the gain? What their worth?

A patch is a treasure if fertile it be.

Character is the measure of man. Character insists on keeping vice and wickedness at a distance. It reminds man of obligations and responsibilities, of the high ideals and goal of human life. Life not sanctified by character is a home without lamps, a coin that is counterfeit.

Money makes many things and wrongs too

Many a time, the game ends even before one recognises the Master. So, while life is on, one should devote it for some sacred activity, the most sacred being Seva (Service). It ensures fellowship and kinship among all men. It discloses the unity inherent in all the divinity. In India, people have clubbed together in the name of Seva or service as Lions Club, Rotary Club, Cosmopolitan Club etc. Their ideals are really sacred and the projects too are commendable. They revere all men as a single family. Many worthy persons perform devoted service as members of these Clubs. It is indeed a fortunate chance for them, for there can be no good work, higher than this.

They say, "Money makes many things" but it is more correct to say "Money makes many wrongs." Not all, of course, are ruined by affluence. They can help such organisations to do more and better service. They can supply medicines to those who render health service to the poor. They can visit slums and offer help in various ways to the dwellers. These are all laudable. But, collecting money and paying others to do the service is not enough; we must assess what services we ourselves are offering directly. And, we must not be content – the doctors, lawyers, the rich, the educated - with spurts of service, off and on. It must be a continuous process, according to a settled time table undertaken every week Doctors must proceed to slums and villages and help the dwellers. There is urgent need for this type of Seva. Lawyers must take up the cases in which wrongs are committed on the poor through their ignorance and plead on their behalf for justice. They could devote time for at least two or three such cases per week. Their pleadings on behalf of the poor should not be cursory and casual. They must be as earnest and as effective as the rest.

Love is selflessness, while Self is Lovelessness

Embodiments of Love! Members of the Lions Club have high ideals and are urged by sacred feelings. They have frequent meetings in order that they can come close, to each other. Some Clubs meet in five star hotels and spend huge sums. At home, we can feel happy with a full meal on five rupees but in hotels, even fifty rupees won't suffice. We lose forty-five rupees each, whenever we have a meeting. The amount gained by discontinuing this practice can be spent on helping the poor. Our aim should be the work, the practical solution and not publicity only. Even from our personal point of view, we should so manage our affairs that money is not wasted. What is most important at this juncture is the consideration of the problems facing Bharat. These problems require the promotion of Prema and Seva (Love and Service). Love is selflessness, while Self is Lovelessness!

I wish the citizens of Bombay to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and ensure the success of all your efforts on their behalf. They must co-operate with all their hearts all their resources and with all their skills. We waste heaps of money but we do not feel they are best utilised in service projects such as you have planned. This day is really a day of joy. I am happy I am amidst persons dedicated to service. It is essential that members of such Clubs pay attention to our spiritual advancement also, for that ensures our attainment of the goal of Life. The worldly and the spiritual are like the two wings of a bird, the two wheels of the vehicle, equally essential and equally important. By means of spiritual Sadhana, earn spiritual wealth and share it with those whom you serve.”

Bhagavan laid the foundation stone at Dharmakshetra for a Zonal Training Centre for Primary Teachers on 23rd morning. He inaugurated an exhibition entitled ‘Science and Spirituality’ at Dharmakshetra on 23rd. This exhibition was organised by the students of Dharmakshetra School. He also inaugurated a day-long dental and eye camp in the main hall of Dharmakshetra. Bhagavan addressed a public meeting at Dharmakshetra that evening. He distributed many awards to winners of various competitions held for college students of Bombay during the year. Bhagavan released a book ‘Guidelines to Healthy Living: Health Education Door-to-Door’, compiled by Dr. Keki Mistry. Bhagavan met the members of Sri Sathya Sai Study Circles. The well-known film star from Pakistan, Mr. Mohmad Ali, had Darshan of Bhagavan at Dharmakshetra. Bhagavan addressed the active workers of the Bombay Samiti. He blessed the group of men and women attending the adult education classes conducted by the Bombay Samiti in the slum areas. Bhagavan gave away spectacles to eye patients.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)