Sri Sathya Sai Message on First Ladies Day Celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam

Sunday, November 19, 1995

Bhagavan chose to celebrate 19th November as Ladies Day. Ladies Day was celebrated at Prasanthi Nilayam on 19th November 1995 for the first time. 

Sri Sathya Sai leading the Ladies Day procession

Swami gave a Discourse to the ladies at Poornachandra Auditorium. He said:

In this infinite universe, among the myriads of living beings humanity is eminent. Among human beings, it is a privilege to be born as a woman. There are many examples to demonstrate the preeminence of women.

Was not Rama born as a Divine incarnation in Kaushalya's womb? Did not Lava and Kusha (the twins) become great because they were born to Seeta? Was it not Jijabai's loving care which made Shivaji great? Was it not Putlibai's piety which made Gandhi a Mahatma? All the greater sages, and saints, heroes and warriors were born to women "who made them great". Woman is the Goddess of Nature...

Women should be revered

From ancient times the feminine aspect of the Divine has been worshipped in various ways. The Veda declares that where women are honoured and esteemed, there divinity is present with all its potency. Unfortunately today men consider it demeaning to honour women. This is utterly wrong and is a sign of ignorance.

Stree (Woman) is Grihalakshmi (the Goddess of Prosperity for the home). She is hailed as Dharmapatni (the virtuous spouse). She is called - Illalu (the mistress of the house) and Ardhaangi (the better half). People gloat over petty titles conferred on them. But women have

been conferred the highest titles which are valid for all time. A home 'without a woman is a jungle.

Men should realise the high status of women and honour and respect them accordingly. They should not make women weep and shed tears. A home where the woman sheds tears will be ruined. Men should give an honourable place for women and lead a respectable life.

The archetypal woman is described as Adi Shakti (the primal source of all energy) having a whole array of powers. She is hailed as the mother of the Amritasyaputraah (children of immortality).

The Trigunas in the word "Stree"

The word Stree is made up of three, consonants, "Sa", "Ta" and "Ra". "Sa" signifies the Sattvic nature of women. It represents also the triple aspects of experiencing divinity Saalokyam (vision of the Divine), Saameepyam (proximity) and Saayujyam (mergence). "Tha" signifies the Tamasic quality. But this Tamasic quality is' not indolence and slothfulness. It includes qualities like humility, kindness and modesty. This means that women begin with qualities like meekness and-modesty so that they may serve the family and society in the right spirit. There is a saying in Andhra Pradesh: "Judge a house by its mistress."

"Ra" represents the Rajoguna. This does not mean pugnacity and querulousness. This quality signifies the preparedness of women, where necessary, even to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their honour and the honour of their family. Bharat's history is full of examples of women who fought valiantly and gave' up their lives to protect their husbands and their honour. Stree thus represents the combination of the three Gunas. Woman, who should be highly honoured for these qualities, is being treated as a Abala (weaker vessel) and assigned an inferior status. It will not be out of place to mention here that women who have wielded power in Bharat or other countries have proved themselves to be exceptionally able and successful... 

There are several organizations which are being run by women with great dedication and zeal for the benefit of the people. Valmiki extolled the sweetness of womanhood. What is the cause of, this sweetness? The spirit of sacrifice is the cause, according to Valmiki.

Spirit of sacrifice is found-only in women

Sri Sathya Sai with senior members of the Mahila Vibhag at the Poornachandra Auditorium

A mother is ready to sacrifice everything even her life, for the sake of her child. Such a spirit is to be found only among women. If a child is grievously ill, the father may say that the child may as well die. But the mother will try to save the child at any cost. It is for this reason, that woman is described as Tyagamurti, the embodiment of sacrifice. Men do not have the same spirit of sacrifice as women. Men may present a heroic pose, but do not have the determination and perseverance to carry on the struggle to the end. Valmiki described woman as the Bhakti Swaroopini (embodiment of devotion). Man was described as Jnana Swaroopa. The Jnani has limited access to the Divine mansion. But the woman devotee has access to innermost apartments. The preeminent status accorded to women will be evident from all the ancient scriptures.

In this context the role of women as mothers should be understood. The great hero, Shivaji, was moulded entirely by the teachings of his mother. Rama was taught by his mother Kaushalya to follow the sacred path of Dharma. The lives of the great show to what extent they were the products of their mothers. Gandhiji became a staunch adherent of truth after a lesson he learnt from his mother, who could not bear her son telling a lie even to make her break her fast.

It is the mothers who make their children take to the right path, not so much the fathers. Today we find the father's teaching the children to utter lies. For instance, when the telephone rings in the house, the father who is in the house tells his son to inform the caller that the father is not at home.

The practice of fathers allowing the sons to go astray has a long ancestry. It started in the Dwapara Yuga with Dhritarashtra, father of Duryodhana. Whatever evil deeds his son did, Dhritarashtra used to say he was a good man. Fathers who allow their sons to go astray are not real fathers at all. Prahlada observed: "Only he is father who advises the son to seek God. Only he is a true guru who instructs the pupil about God."

The mother is the first preceptor for the child

The Divine Mother Sai

Mothers in ancient days used to teach, the children about right conduct, morality and devotion. The first preceptor for a child is the mother. For this reason, Bharatiya culture gave the first place to the mother among the four persons to be revered as divine: mother, father, guru and guest. The mother gets the first place because she bears the child in the womb for nine months and nourishes him with her own blood.

Even in mentioning the names of deities, the first place is given to the goddess, as in Seeta-Rama, Parvati-Parameshwara and Lakshmi-Narayana and the reason for the feminine, name getting priority is she is Prakriti Swaroopini - the embodiment of Prakriti (nature). The implication in this usage, is that you should realise God through the-propitiation of Prakriti.

Earn the blessings of the mother

In this world, all things are transient. Only righteousness and good name endure. How is one to acquire a good name? By revering the mother. Never go against the wishes of the mother. The son who causes pain to the mother' can never' be happy. Hence, earn the blessing of the mother.

In this context, it should be noted that Russians observe December 8th as Ladies Day. On that day the women have free time. The men have to do the cooking. The women go out to do service in hospitals and other places.

Men and women have to understand each other so that they can live in harmony, in the family. Today people want to live happily but not to lead ideal lives. Parents, for instance, do not set a good example to the children. In the modern age, the father does not instruct the children properly and the children do not pay heed to the words of the mother. The vast majority of fathers today behave like Dhritarashtra. Where there are some good children, leading a pious life, the fathers rebuke them, saying, "Have you gone crazy? Don't take part in Bhajans or social service." Parents who behave in this manner are like Hiranyakashyap, who could not tolerate his son worshiping Hari. Today we have many parents like Dhritarashtra and Hiranyakashyap, but few who encourage, their children to adhere to righteousness.

Children today do not relish edifying works like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatam. They waste their time on reading trash. Parents should see that children do not read bad books. Now, for a few words of advice to women. It is found that women are given to excessive talking. From today you have to take a pledge not to indulge in talking. Women are found talking not only, in the auditorium but even in the Bhajan Mandir. Men are fond of strolling around as they please, They observe no restraints as to where they should not go and what places they should avoid. If women observe restraint in speech and men control their movements, it will be good for both.

Ladies day should be observed every year

If the nation has to prosper, improvement must start with the parents. Without peace and harmony at home, there can be no peace in the nation. This message should be propagated throughout the country on every November 19th, by observing it as Ladies Day. You should teach people how to run their homes well and how to bring up children on right lines. You must deal calmly and tactfully with the men, if they are no cooperating. Though Ravana was evil-minded, his noble wife, Mandodari, tried to correct him as much as possible. She advised him strongly not to keep Seeta in Lanka, but to restore her to Rama.

From today learn to see the good in others and examine your own defects. Thereby you will benefit both ways. Those who go about finding faults in others are like dogs which go after cast off shoes.

Call to women

Mistakes may sometimes be committed in the organization. See that they do not recur. Buddha learnt the proper lesson through a single experience of seeing an old man, a sick man and a dead corpse. He understood the entire nature of human existence from this. People today have similar experiences over and over again. But their minds remain unchanged. Every experience should bring out a change. For years you listen to Swami's discourses. How many have changed? How many have developed good qualities? Very few indeed. Develop pure thoughts wherever you may be. Only then your visit to Prasanthi Nilayam at great expense would have served a purpose. 

As today is a sacred day dedicated to women, they should change themselves and help to change the men and the children. They should develop the qualities of sympathy, compassion; love and sacrifice. Study the lives of our great women, who were models of patience, fortitude, compassion and sacrifice. I desire that you should take up the reins of leadership and bring peace and prosperity to the nation by leading ideal lives."

After Bhagavan’s Discourse, Smt. Anjali Devi and Smt. P. Suseela presented a cultural programme. The video of the entire programme can be viewed here:

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1986-2005)

Sri Sathya Sai On: The Unifying Message of Indian Culture and Scriptures

The revered old man who spoke of the Upasana of Hanuman referred to the Ashtottara Shata Nama (the 108 names) of Anjaneya. I wonder how many of you know the significance of that number 108. Why is it that the strings of the names of the gods are always 108? They could as well be 110 or 112 or 50 or 120, isn't it? All such mystic numbers have a deep meaning. Man breathes at the rate of 900 per hour, 21,600 times per day, 10,800 during daytime. With every breath, man is supposed to repeat Soham, "I am He," and so, the figure 216 and its hall 108 has a deep significance. It is also 9 times 12, 9 being the number indicative Of Brahman, since it is always 9, however many times you may multiply it (9 x 12 -108, 1 + 8 - 9, 9 x 9 = 81, 8 + 1 = 9) and 12 is the number of the Sun; also, the Sun moves through 12 Raashis or points, each Raashi representing one month.

Just as 9 is the symbol of Brahman, 8 is the number of Maya. For, multiples of 8 go on diminishing in total value, instead of remaining the same or increasing, (2 times 8 is 16 which adds up to 7; 3 times 8 is 24 and so, the total has come down to 6; 4 times 8 is 32 which adds up to 5 and 5 times 8 is 40 adding up to only 4! 6 times 8 is 48, that is, 12 adding to 3. And 7 times 8 adds up to 2. 8 times 8 is 64 and so, only 1). This decrease in value is the best symbol of Maya. Every number has many such valuable inner meanings. It is an interesting subject. You must investigate and reason out, not laugh cynically and condemn. If you stand on the seashore and hesitate to dive into the waters, you cannot secure pearls.

The Message of the Vedas

One Bhakta sings, "O Krishna! You are dark; the 'Kalindi deeps' in the Yamuna river into which you have descended is also dark with rain clouds; my eyeball is dark; my heart too is darkened with dark thoughts. How then can I discover You? Your secret is beyond me; your majesty is ever receding before my imagination." Now, the dark colour of the Lord is the colour of the deep sea and the deep sky. It signifies the fathomless, unfathomable. What has to be changed is the heart, the intelligence. Above all, do not be traitors to yourselves. If you say one thing and do another, your conscience will itself condemn you as a cheat. You are your won witness. Not all the stones which Rama trod on were converted into humans; only one stone changed into Ahalya, for, repentance and penance had elevated it to that status.

Nothing ever is born without the will of God, nothing ever happens without His will; that is the message of the Vedas; understand the Vedas well and this lesson will be instilled into you. Fleas drink only the blood of the cow; but men draw from her the sweet and nourishing milk. So, learn from the Vedas the potence of the Will of the Lord. Once you are fixed in that faith, you will be able to brave all dangers. You complain that God is invisible; but the fault is yours, not to recognise God in all His various manifestations. You are yourself "manifestation of God." But you do not know it; you call yourself a sinner, worm born in sin, wallowing in sin, essentially wicked. But, let some one, who takes you to your word, call you, "Hello sinner!" you resent it. Why? Because your real nature is purity, peace, joy. Manas, Buddhi, Chittam, Ahamkaram, Indriya (mind, intellect, thought, egoism and senses) these are like the bricks, iron rods, cement, wood, etc., that go to make up a house for the Atma to live in. They are jewels that the Atma wears. They are not you; they are only incidental. The real you is the Atma. This can be learnt only by constant meditation, by moving in good company, by listening to the talks of realised men, by following some prescribed course of discipline. That is why I lay so much emphasis on discipline.

Sanatana Dharma: Co-operative Commonwealth

The Varna Ashrama (social groups and stages of life) disciplines, to which the Shastri referred, is very useful in this field. Varna or what is called caste, is a convenient arrangement for the conduct of worldly affairs; the Ashramas or the stages of life are roots of supra-worldly joy. The four Varnas are universal; they can be found in any country. The leaders of thought are the Brahmins; the fighters carrying arms are the Kshatriyas; the entrepreneurs and the business executives are the Vaishyas; the busy producers and labourers are the Shudras. Whether head or heels, it is the same blood that circulates through each; it is the same body which claims them as limbs. Each limb has to perform its task, the task for which it has specialised. You cannot walk on your head or think with the feet. It is a co-operative commonwealth, the body as well as the body-politic. The eye is the master of sight; the ear cannot question the authority of the eye, nor the eye that of the ear about sound, or the ear that of the tongue so far as the taste is concerned. Each is the master in its own field. The Ashramas are also steps towards the attainment of detachment and fulfillment. They ensure experience and the unfoldment of personality.

God cannot be bamboozled

Each Varna and Ashrama has it own rules, regulations and restrictions. A bullock cart cannot move on rails nor a locomotive on the road. Each type of vehicle has its own type of road. But, all move forward and reach the goal in their own good time. When the heart is pure, the Lord is revealed. He is the judge; He cannot be bamboozled. The doctor may assure you that you have no fever, but the thermometer cannot lie. The doctor may say so to save you from panic, but the thermometer declares the truth. God knows and God will deal with you as you deserve. Have the faith. Repent for all wrongs done and resolve not to repeat the mistake; then God will extend His grace.

You feel that there is something behind and beyond all this fleeting fantasy; something that persists through all the successes and defeats, all the tears and smiles, all this mirth and moan; but, you are unable to grasp it and realise that it is the same entity that underlies the entire universe. You are one with most distant star and the least little blade of grass. You shine as dew on the petal of the rose; you swing from star to star; you are part and parcel of all this manifestation. The Shastras teach you this truth through many a parable and story, and even directly, supported by the experience of sages and mystics. Hanuman may have the form of an ape; but that is simply the outer casement, the Upadhi. The Lord is the very breath of Hanuman: every hair-end of his was echoing with Rama Nama.

All forms of Divinity are equally sweet

Through Dhyana and Upasana, you can be aware of yourselves as all this. Mud existed before plates and pots; pots and plates are mud; mud there will be when plates and pots are no more. The plate and the pot must be aware of their being always mud; that, in other words, is Self-realisation. When that is achieved, wherever your eyes are cast, you find yourself; wherever your attention is directed, you find your reflection. Begin to feel for it now, this very moment.

Do not hold Japam and Dhyanam as the games of 'cracks'; hold fast to them, for they alone can save you from ruin. Offer the Lord, not the flowers got in exchange for a few paise from the shop, but the fragrant flowers of your own virtues. Let tears of joy be the holy water with which you seek to wash the feet of the Lord Let your Upasana Devata (deity being worshipped) be Anjaneya as in the case of this Shastri, or any other form; treat that Devata as comprising all forms of divinity; do not argue that one form is less and another is more; all are equally sweet. Seek to identify yourself with some grand and glorious Entity, for all Grandeur and all Glory is His ultimately.

Source: Divine Discourse on November 25, 1964 at Prasanthi Nilayam

My Experiences of the Omnipresence of Sri Sathya Sai - By Dr. Victor Kanu

Issa Vassyam Idam Sarvam 

"All this is enveloped by God. All this is soaked in God, saturated by God. Everything is the substance of God". 

Some of the wonders and mysteries of the universe, this marvellous creation of God, were made known to me partly by parents and elders of my country of first domicile, Sierra Leone, and partly by my early teachers and missionaries. The instruction, as might be expected; was contained in legends and stories; music, dance and folklore in oral transmission of a direct nature, and in quasi-secular, and spiritual text books. 

Sierra Leone in red on the Africa map

That Sierra Leone is rich both in traditional life and in matters of the spirit cannot be seriously disputed. Yet, in spite of this richness neither my experiences gained in traditionalism nor those in modernism, as exemplified by Christian education, ever taught me that all that our senses can or cannot perceive is "enveloped by God.... soaked in God…. saturated by God….is the substance of God." 

It was Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's coming into my life that I came to learn not only this indisputable and absolute TRUTH but have also, by His Divine Grace, become a living witness of the Omnipresence of God. Not even Oxford University where I studied Philosophy, could enlighten me on this all-important subject. Perhaps, it could be argued, though, that my statement is an over-exaggeration. For, surely, Philosophy as taught at Oxford must contain elements of God's existence and Omnipresence. Even if one were to make a concession to this point, it would still be restrictive and circumscribed within the confines of a particular philosophical school of thought. So, by receiving spiritual enlightenment from Bhagavan Baba, the veil of ignorance and intellectual prejudice have, at the same time, been destroyed — never to return again. 

Victor Kanu with Sri Sathya Sai

Bhagavan Baba is in Africa, a continent that was once described the "dark Continent". How can Africa be dark when He who is Eternal Light, has always been present there? Speaking to a section of our London group at an interview in July 1989 Bhagavan Baba, pointing to Himself said: Sai Baba is not this body. Sai Baba is a spirit, I am everywhere. The evidence of His Omnipresence will not be based on what other people say or have said or what I have read from books on Bhagavan Baba but, rather, on my own first-hand personal experiences at different levels of consciousness viz. the working, sleep, and dream states. Personal experiences cannot be underestimated, ridiculed, ignored or thrown away in preference to Teachings only. 

Baba was present in the pub one evening in December 1974 where He watched me drinking without any limit. No sooner had I gone to bed late that night than He sent two angels to bring me to Prasanthi Nilayam for soul-cleaning. That night I dreamt I was floating in a deep blue and incredibly calm sky with the two young and amazingly handsome boys (angels), one on either side of me. We were floating in silence, eastwards, to a distant land. We began to descend as we approached our destination, until we finally passed through an arch, along a narrow village road where I was left at the Gopuram (above the main wooden entrance that leads to Bhagavan Baba's Mandir at Prasanthi Nilayam). 

The Prasanthi Nilayam Gopuram

Here all the nations of the world were assembled and, among them, were my ancestors who spoke to me in Temne (our tribal language). The assembly was solemnly engaged in healing and spiritual teaching. This dream resulted in a profound change in my social habits and mode of thinking. 

I also became aware of His Omnipresence four years later in my room at another address, on 21st February 1978. I prayed to God that morning for assistance in my newly acquired gift of spiritual healing which involved the laying of hands on the sick. I wanted this gift to develop for two reasons: Firstly, for the glory of God, that He may be praised; secondly, for the benefit of mankind. Moments later Bhagavan Baba responded in an enthralling vision, the first vision ever in my life. I had neither prior knowledge of, nor contact with Bhagavan Baba at that point in time. 

He was again present at my new address at 50 Longley Road, London SW17 on 3rd February. 1980, when after offering ourselves (my wife and I) to Him in prayer as His devotees, and asking Him to give me a sign if He accepted us, He appeared in my dream that night and confirmed His acceptance. He woke me up in a loud clear voice on 15th march 1980 and said: "United Worship". That command thereafter removed my slothfulness and led me to the habit of rising early for morning prayers. 

Events leading to our first visit to Bhagavan Baba were other occasions when He demonstrated His Omnipresence. My wife and I could not raise the necessary funds to visit Bhagavan Baba (both fares cost 700 pounds sterling). Reluctantly, we had to withdraw our names when the time for payment was due in mid-May 1980. However, on the first Monday of June, the Postman delivered two letters addressed to me at our home: One of these contained a cheque of 500 pounds sterling made out to me by someone I had met only once without disclosing to him our financial predicament. In his covering letter he entreated me to use the funds for my passage to Sai Baba. Two days later, the post man delivered another letter addressed to my wife. It contained 200 pounds sterling made out in her name with pleadings to use this amount to buy saree when she arrived in India. Thus, the full cost of the fares was provided by Bhagavan Baba who was (is) present in our hearts and at our home while we discussed our finances. 

Victor Kanu with Sri Sathya Sai

Baba's Omnipresence is beyond human comprehension, yet simple in its execution. Whenever either my thoughts are going astray — towards the path of evil — or when I am in the process of undertaking an action that is contrary to His teachings, or when He simply wants to advise and protect, I would hear a sound from an unidentifiable source — a knock, a tap or footstep; or I would see an object move or fall; perhaps the fragrance of Vibhuti would manifest itself; or animals would behave differently. Here are two instances. 

In the first instance, I had organised a seminar in 1987 at Froebel Institute College in London on how the Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Programme could be used to help drug abusers and aids sufferers. For this purpose, I had invited Dr. Willim Harvey, a Sai devotee and one who, for over twenty years, had successfully run a clinic for young black drug abusers in the U.S.A. Bill was to stay with us and I was to meet him at Heathrow airport on an early morning Pan American Flight from New York. 

That night I slept in a separate room to avoid disturbing Genoveva's sleep. Just as I was about to wake up, Bhagavan Baba came to my dream and said sternly but sweetly: "Talk to your woman". Before leaving for the airport, I decided to wake her and tell her my dream which, honestly, I did not understand. "darling", I said to her, "Swami came to my dream this morning and uttered one sentence only: "Talk to your woman." "What do you think He meant ?" She exploded. Yes, I am sick and tired of you. For a couple of months now you entertain no conversation at home other than Human Values. First thing in the morning, in our lounge, at table and last thing at night it's all about Human Values. You have no time for me, so I have spent the whole night complaining about you to Swami." It is clear that our Beloved Bhagavan Baba is Omnipresent is in us and around us, is everywhere and looks after our well being. 

Sri Sathya Sai School Ndola, Zambia

The second instance happened in Ndola, Zambia where a Sri Sathya Sai School for Boys (Primary and Secondary) is being built. The plot is 13.85 acres which requires a certain measure of security, such as the presence of a watchman. I accordingly employed Siami, a Zambian ex-prison warden to keep watch over the piece of land where vandalism was rampant. Siami had a gun and, after a week, he requested me to provide him with live ammunition so that, as he puts it, he could teach the vandals a lesson. I remained indifferent to his request despite his persistent reminders. Consequently, Siami began to show' signs of disinterestedness in his night duties. So, one day, I took Bhagavan's pocket size photograph to the site, called lungu, the civil engineer responsible for the construction work, and gave Siami, Bhagavan's photograph as ammunition. Siami's bewilderment quickly resulted in anger. “I asked for ammunition and you give a picture. What is this”? he enquired. I explained who Baba is - the Godhead in Human form, His powers, His Omnipresence, etc. The more I explained the more Siami ridiculed. In the end I was able to persuade him to keep the photograph on him and to invoke the name Bhagavan Baba whenever he was in difficulty. Four days later, he asked for a larger photograph of Bhagavan, this time not to keep on his body but to put it in his home. He said to me. "Mr. Kanu, this man Sai Baba is wonderful. You know from the day I took His picture the dogs who used to bark at me now come quietly and play with me. The whole place is very quiet." Siami now collects Bhagavan's photographs and distributes them to his friends. 

Sri Sathya Sai blesses Victor Kanu

What greater proof do I need to assert that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is Omnipresent, is truly God-Incarnate? None whatsoever. 

About the author:

Mr. Victor Kanu, J.P., M.A. (Oxon) is former High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, Africa to Great Britain, with further accreditions to Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Being an avowed spiritual seeker, he became the first African to be elected as President of the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain; Magistrate in the Inner London Magistrate courts for nine years. Worked for Education in Human Values programme in the United Kingdom. He has authored “Sai Baba: God Incarnate Vol. I and II”. Victor Kanu is also the founder of the Sathya Sai School for Boys in Ndola, Zambia, Africa, which in 2005 received an International Gold Trophy in Paris for quality in terms of leadership, innovation, training, and excellence in education. 

Victor Kanu and Genoveva receiving the award

He held several senior positions in the Sathya Sai International Organisations. He merged at the Lotus Feet on September 3, 2011.

Source: Sai Vandana 1990

Conversation on Sari Distribution during Grama Seva

Wednesday, November 8, 2000

Today the Grama Seva work was in the villages of Bukkapatnam Mandal. In the evening, after Darshan, Swami distributed white clothes to the boys and saris to the girls of the Easwaramma High School. Later in Ganesh portico…

B. Warden : Swami, boys worked very well.

Swami: Both boys and girls did very good work. If girls don’t pack, boys can’t distribute. Drivers also did a very good job. 

B. Warden : Swami, if Padanamaskar is given to the drivers, it will be nice.

Swami: Tappakunda (without fail). Clothes were distributed to Easwaramma School students.

Prof. A. K.: Swami, the saris that were distributed in the villages were of very good quality.

Swami: Saris that were given to the Easwaramma School are also of very good quality. They had big borders. 

(Swami sent word to get a sample sari and showed it to Prof. Anil Kumar. He examined the sari and was thrilled to note that a sari of such high quality was given to small School children.) 

Prof. A. K.: Swami, very nice!

Swami: (Jokingly) Whatever it is, I won’t give you!! 

(Everyone laughed. Mentioning the names of some villages) The schools in these villages are to be whitewashed and the windows are to be painted. 

(Swami added that He had already sent the necessary materials.)

Prof. A. K.: Swami, in American election, Bush has won. Swami, both Bush and Al Gore have good relations with India.

Swami: Yes. Though they are different parties, they have friendly relations with India. (Looking at a teacher) You look tired.

Teacher: No, Swami. Today the heat (Dhup) was little more.

Swami: Not only Dhup, but also Bhookh (hunger).

B. Warden : Swami, we are not tired. Even boys were working very enthusiastically.

Swami: (Describing how energetic He was during His youth) When I was young, I used to go to those hills (far from Parthi) and come back. 

B. Warden : Swami, You went to the hills for some time.

Swami: Yes. I went for some days. Subbamma used to get food for Me. I would come down the hills and take it because it was difficult for her to climb up. When people asked her where I was, she would simply reply that she did not know. 

Prof. A. K.: What was your age then, Swami?

Swami: 16 years. So many devotees used to come. I didn’t want to trouble them (Swami’s family). They were poor. How would they give food to everyone? So I came out of the village. (Pointing to teachers) They are very tired. (Swami materialised Vibhuti for some of the teachers.)

B. Warden : Swami, we are getting good sleep in night because of this work.

Swami: If you get good sleep, then no problem. But old people will not get sleep (after such a tiring work).

After Bhajans, Swami retired to His Poornachandra residence.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2000-2001)

Sri Sathya Sai on: Devotional Singing and its effects on Human Mind

There are four ways of chanting the Lord's name. One is through Keertana (song). Then there is Sankeertana (community singing). Another is Dhyana (meditating on the Divine). The fourth is contemplation of the form of the Divine. 

In all these, meditating on the name is basic. By meditating on the Lord, Chaitanya and Meera experienced the ecstatic vision of the Lord within themselves. Both of them were immersed in the feeling of devotion to the Lord. Those who experienced the Lord by chanting the Divine name are Narada, Tukaraam, Tulsidas, Ramadas and others. In reply to a question from Narada, Krishna declared that He is present wherever His devotees sing His glories. The singing must not be merely a musical exercise but express genuine devotion. 

Some devotees sing songs about the Leelas (sportive miracles) of God. Jayadeva, for instance, sang only about the sports of Krishna and was oblivious of all other things. He totally identified himself with Krishna.

Radha always immersed in Krishna's thoughts

Radha represents Roopa Sankeertana (singing the glory of the Lord's form) of Krishna. She saw Krishna in every object. The heart is moved only when the words of the poem or song are rendered melodiously. (Here Bhagavaan demonstrated how the manner of singing makes all the difference in the appeal of the song: "Rama Nannu Kaapaadu" - O Rama, Save Me). By devotional singing one can get merged in the Divine. That is the reason why the Lord is described as Gaanalola or Gaanapriya (Lover of song or one who is charmed by music). It will be befitting if a devotee combines the reciting of the Lord's name with singing and praying for merger with the Divine. Now these three are considered as distinct from each other. This is not correct.

God is one: names are many

Devotees are inclined to worship the Lord under different names. They consider the names different from each other. They forget that they are all equally, embodiments of the Divine: Sat-Chit-Ananda. (Being-Awareness-Bliss). There should be no feeling of high and low. Only the one who has the feeling of oneness can be called a renunciant. It is wrong to make a distinction between Rama and Shiva as some small-minded devotees do. Vaishnavites and Shaivites who go to the Tirumala temple hail the Lord as Venkataramana or Venkateshvara respectively, as if the two names are different, though they represent the same deity. 

Lord Venkateshwara, the presiding deity at Tirupati

Thyagaraja pointed out that the word Rama is made up of the vital syllables "Ra" and "Ma" in the Narayana and Shiva Mantras respectively. In this manner devotees should seek unity in apparent diversity rather than seek to divide what is one.

The nature of the Divine can only be properly understood, by those who are filled with devotion. All should be filled with love. Love cannot flow from the Mantras of those who are steeped in selfishness and self-pride. Love flows from those who are humble. It cannot arise in those who are conceited and pompous. The love of God can arise only from loving thoughts. There must be yearning for God, just as one has to experience hunger to think of food. There is hunger for God in every one, but the disease of self-pride prevents one from feeling that hunger. The denial of God is a kind of disease. The unbeliever is afflicted by a variety of diseases like pride, envy, anger and greed.

One should be pure to be attracted by the Lord

There are some who have one foot on faith and the other on disbelief. For sometime they live with devotion and then they get lost in worldly concerns. The result is they have the worst of both worlds. One should not attempt to ride two horses at the same time. Stick to one thing and pursue it with determination. There is no such perseverance today because men are attracted by various worldly pleasures. It is not good to be lured by such attractions. Man should be attracted only by the Divine. Krishna has been described as one who is alluring in every way - by his looks, words and action. One should be pure to be attracted by the Lord. A sensuous person is like a rusty piece of iron, which cannot be attracted by a magnet.

An artist's depiction of the Mahabharata War between Kauravas and Pandavas

In the world today man is caught between the forces of evil and the forces of good, similar to the war in the Mahabharata between the wicked Kauravas on the one side and the virtuous Pandavas on the other. Krishna was on the side of the Pandavas, though He did not take part in the fighting. God is always on the side of the good and the virtuous. "See good, be good, do good, that is the way to God." Make every effort to experience the Divine.

Bhajans are supremely valuable

People may say that when you go to Sai Baba, there is nothing but Bhajan. Realise that there is nothing greater than Bhajan. What bliss is there in Bhajans! What a demonstration of oneness is it when a myriad throats join in uttering the name of God! The vibrations emanating from them make the heart vibrant. If you sing alone in your shrine, the vibrations return to you as reaction. But in community singing, what you have is not a reaction but a wave of vibrations. They enter into the atmosphere and purify the polluted air. The atmosphere today is polluted by bad thoughts and feelings. When you sing the glory of God, the bad germs in the air are destroyed and the air gets purified by a treatment with anti-biotics as it were.

Bhajans are therefore supremely valuable. It has been said that in the Kali Age them is no greater spiritual practice than chanting the name of the Lord. Let one remember the name of Rama at the time of passing, whether he is a millionaire or a pauper, whether he is a scholar or an illiterate. Sing the name of the Lord and redeem your lives!

Source: Divine Discourse on October 23, 1994 at Brindavan

Conversations with Sri Sathya Sai on: Who is a truly educated person?

Saturday, November 4, 2000 

Today after morning Darshan, most of the students went to Kothacheruvu town for the distribution of Prasadam and clothes. In the evening after the interview, Swami came to the Ganesh portico and enquired from the teachers about the Seva activity. When the Warden mentioned the name of a village…

Swami: It is Parvathamma’s (Swami’s sister) in-laws village. Her grandson studied M.B.A. in our College. (While discussing about the Grama Seva, Swami said) Some villagers explain, some others inspire and some complain. (Contrasting the educated with the uneducated village folk, Swami said) Educated people have spoiled mind. They have doubts from head to toe.

B. Warden : Swami, because of desires.

Swami: Desires… Monkey desires. They don’t have humility.

Prof. A. K.: They have the feeling: ‘I am special’.

Swami: Ahamkaram (ego). (Then Swami went on to describe the story of Chanakya, an Indian teacher, philosopher and royal advisor belonging to the second and third century BC, he authored the ancient Indian political treatise called ‘Artha Shastra’ and is considered to be the pioneer of the field of Economics and Political Science in India.) 

Educated people do not have Pavitrata (purity). 

(Prof. Anil Kumar asked a question whether all educated people are like that. For this Swami said) 

A truly educated man behaves well and does not have ego. But those who are partially educated (half-knowledge) have ego. Because of that they become low.

Prof. A. K.: Swami, they have the ego of being educated.

Swami: A fully educated man would have Sama Darshanam (equanimity). But a partially educated man will have Vakra Darshanam (crooked vision). There was a Vyakarana Pandit (scholar in grammar).

Prof. A. K.: Swami, Panini.

Swami: Yes, Panini. He wrote grammar. Bhaskara wrote Ganita-Shastra (Mathematics). (Then Swami narrated the story of Ashtavakra, a sage mentioned in the Bharatiya scriptures, he is described as one born with eight different deformities of the body. He was the author of the work ‘Ashtavakra Gita’, a treatise on the instruction by him to King Janaka about the Self.) He got the bent body because of the Shapam (curse) given by his father. It is not due to Papam (sin). There is difference between Shapam and Papam. Tell boys what I have told. Prof. Anil Kumar repeated aloud (in English) whatever Swami spoke, the story of Chanakya and Ashtavakra. Swami then gave a talk. It resembled the experience that students have in Trayee Brindavan. The discourse can be accessed here. After the discourse, the conversation continued… 

Teacher: Swami, by doing Grama Seva, we are getting true education.

Swami: Yes, real education. Children are working whole-heartedly. (Again about pronunciation) When students do some mistake they say that they have committed a mistake. Actually it is not mistake but ‘miss + take’. Boys do not have good pronunciation. But they say Swami does not pronounce properly.

Prof. A. K.: They never think like that, Swami.

Swami: They also pronounce the word ‘Master’ wrongly. It is ‘Maaster’ and not ‘Mas-ter’. (Swami articulated the right pronunciation.) Master the mind, be a mastermind. When does one become a master? When one has total control of senses. If there is no control, he will not be a master. He becomes a slave. Only such a Master (the one with sense control) is a man. Others have no right to call themselves to be a man.

Prof. A. K.: Swami, I was thinking that by wearing this kind of dress we are masters.

Swami: No. Not by dress or by collecting information or by form (physical appearance) one becomes a master. He is not at all a man, who doesn’t have control over his senses. He is an animal. Einstein also said the same, “I am not an animal. I am a man.” (Swami looked at His wrist) Why has the music not yet begun?

B. Warden : Since Swami was talking, they didn’t want to disturb.

Swami: No. Let the Bhajans begin.

It was already past 5.30 pm. After Bhajans Swami retired to His Poornachandra residence.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2000-2001)