Sathya Sai baba: April 2009

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 41: SIN OF INGRATITUDE !!!

(Extracted, compiled & edited from RADIO SAI JOURNALS)

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 41

SIN OF INGRATITUDE!!!

There was a huge apple tree & a little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the treetop, ate the apples, and took a nap in its shadow. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him. Time went by and the little boy had grown up and no longer played around the tree every day.

One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad. "Come and play with me", the tree asked the boy. "I am no longer a kid and I don't play around trees any more," the boy replied. "I want toys. I need money to buy them."

"I do not have money, but you can pick all my apples and sell them. Then, you will have money." The tree said. The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the apples and the tree felt very sad.

Many years later, the boy who had now turned into a man returned. The tree was excited and said, "Come and play with me." The boy replied, "I do not have time to play. I have to work for my family and we need a house for shelter. Can you help me?"

"I do not have any house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house". So the man cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the man never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted. "Come and play with me!" the tree said. "I am getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?" said the man. "Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy." So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up again for a long time.

Finally, the man returned after many years. "I do not have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you. No trunk & hardly any branches! I've given you everything." the tree said. "No problem, I do not have any teeth to bite. I am too old for that now." the man said. "I really cannot give you anything, the only thing left is my dying roots," the tree said.

"I do not need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years," the man replied.

"Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest, come sit down with me and rest." The man sat down and after some time he died.

PS: The analogy is that in times of difficulty and distress, we cry out for God's help. While God out of His boundless love and compassion responds to our prayer at the right time, we begin to ignore Him and fall back into our self-centered life. Again we go to him when we have problems! One must guard oneself against this greatest sin of ingratitude towards God.

How many times do we even think of Him when everything is going pleasant and beautiful in our lives?

Dear Sir,

By reading SQ – THE LONG LEASH that you sent I got my answer, but I continue to have some more doubts…..recently while I listened to a recitation of Srimad Bhagavadam the speaker says that as we have to exhaust all our sins which we have committed till date inclusive of all the janmas my soul has taken, so should you exhaust your good deeds (Punyas) also. And only when you are free of both "Paapam and Punyam" that you become eligible for the final liberation and you realize The Almighty. Now, how do you exhaust the Punyaas is what I don't understand which the speaker fails to explain.

One more thing Sir, though we have been told of the various paths which take you towards the final liberation – Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga and Gyana Yoga…….it is said that the Gyana Yoga is the shortest route but the most difficult one and Bhakti Yoga though take a long time is the easiest. Now, the types of yoga that we see being taught all over come under the branch of Hatha Yoga. Then which types of yoga come under the Gyana Yoga Tree? Please guide Sir. Regards,

RAMKUMAR S

REPLY: The only thing we need to bother about is our thoughts, words and deeds. Our 'old' karma determines to a large extent our present birth. Then the old karma as well as the present one has to be tackled. At one point it might even get nullified & we start fresh again! After that the rewards & the punishment is 'online'!!! Till we become 'pure'. Don't worry too much about all this. Let it take its' course. Just remember the word WATCH. WATCH YOUR WORDS, ACTION, THOUGHTS, CHARACTER and HEART!

If you get too much into theory & technicalities, it would be a problem indeed! In KALIYUGA the only thing that is prescribed is NAMASMARAN & SERVICE. These are like the 2 wings that would take us across the ocean of samsara. In fact if you do only service, service & more service then even Namasmaran is not needed. HANDS THAT SERVE ARE HOLIER THAN THE LIPS THAT PRAY.

Dear Sairam,

SQ - Beautifully told, me and my wife save these stories and tell to our grandchildren as bed time stories... they enjoy these type of stories more than any other type of stories... we will be in a problem if you stop your stories… please do continue ..

Jai Sri Sairam

janakiraman padmanabhan

OM SRI SAIRAM.

HOW WONDERFUL IS THE STORY OF PERL NECKLACE!!!!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Thankam Nair

SAIRAM

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FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 40: THE PEARL NECKLACE !!!

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 40

THE PEARL NECKLACE!!!

(Extracted, compiled & edited from RADIO SAI JOURNALS)

There was this pretty 8 year-old girl who was checking out at a store with her mother and saw a plastic pearl necklace. She wanted that necklace very badly and when she asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I'll buy you the necklace provided when we get home you can clean up your room & your bed. Okay?"

She agreed and her mother bought the pearl necklace for her & when they went home the little girl kept her promise.

How she loved those pearls! She wore them everywhere - to school, bed, and even when she went out with her mother to run errands. The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower - her mother had told her that they would turn her neck green.

She had a very loving daddy. When she went to bed, he would get up from his favorite chair every night and read her a nice story. One night when he finished the story, he asked her, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes daddy! You know I love you," the little girl said.

"Well, then, give me your pearls!" Daddy said.

"Oh daddy! Please, not my pearls!" she said. "But you can have this Barbie, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you can have her tea party set too. Okay?"

"Oh no, darling, that's okay." Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. "Good night."

A week later, her father once again asked her after the story, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, daddy! You know I love you."

"Well, then give me your pearls."

"Oh, daddy, not my pearls! But you can have these colored Ribbons & another Barbie doll. Do you remember her? She's my favorite. Her hair is so soft, and you can play with it and braid it also. You can have both, daddy."

"No, that's okay," her father said and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. "God bless you. Sweet dreams."

Several days later, when her father came in to read her a story, she was sitting on her bed and her lips were trembling. "Here, daddy," she said, and held out her tiny hand. She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father's hand. "You can have the necklace Daddy." She said with tears in her eyes.

With one hand her father held the plastic pearls and with the other he pulled out of his pocket a blue velvet box. Inside the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls & he gave them to her!!! The little girl was completely stunned at that beautiful pearl necklace & was overjoyed!

He had them all along. He was only waiting for her to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the real thing!!!

PS: So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up all the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us his beautiful treasure that he has all the time for us. But we've to give up our desires first.

Why are we holding onto things which God wants us to let go of? Are we holding onto harmful or unnecessary possessions which we have become so attached to that it seems impossible to let go?

Sometimes it is so hard to see what God has in the other hand, but we must believe that God will never take away anything without giving us in return something precious in its place.

"I will give you what you want so that one day you will want what I really want to give you… SATHYA SAI BABA

SAIRAM

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A few responses…

Dear Sir,

The SQ - 38 and SQ - 39 are more thought provoking among the SQ series so far I read. Any one who realise these values will no doubt enjoy a peaceful life. I really enjoy reading this SQ series.

Thank you.

Regards,

SUBRAMANIYAN.K.A

Dear Sir,
The above story of a king and the message (SQ – 38) is simply wonderful and is very useful for all of us in our daily lives when we face so many up and downs. Please keep sending such useful mails
may god bless you.
om sai ram
subbalakshmi
Here (SQ – 38) it says that we are mere spectators in this journey of our life…… If everything has already been "programmed" – each and every action, every moment and incidents that happen during the course……. then what is in our hands? If nothing is in our hands…….are we mere puppets in the hands of the creator? And if this is true…..then it seems all our efforts to achieve our goals in life seem to be of no use….Please explain if we have any power on our own to change the course of events that may happen in our lives and to what extent?

Regards,

RAMKUMAR S

Reply: SQ – THE LONG LEASH might shed some light on this.

After creating everything, God gave man complete freedom to do as he liked. But God has imposed a condition. You may do what you want and enjoy what you desire, but you cannot escape the consequences. You have to face the result. Therefore, you alone are responsible for what happens to you. The good and the bad that happen to you were brought about by you alone.

You have some land. You may build whatever type of house on it or apartments. That depends entirely on your wish. But whatever it is, you must pay land tax / property tax to the Government. In the same way, you cannot escape the consequences of your actions. You've to pay for all your words, thoughts & deeds.

Your income tax is dependent on the amount you earn. But there are also tax exemptions. In the same manner, devotion, service, Sadhana, Bhajans etc., all fetch you some rebate from the consequences of your past actions. Then finally God's grace would cancel your Karma itself & grant you liberation!!!

SAIRAM

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUPTIENT - 39: THE ZEN MASTER !!!

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 39

THE ZEN MASTER!!!

Once a Zen master was sailing in a ship with his daughter. Mid-way, a thunderous storm broke out lashing huge waves at the ship.

As the ship was about to sink the emergency signals went on. All were in a panic except the Zen master who seemed very calm. Seeing him quite relaxed, his daughter questioned him... "Oh, father! Aren't you scared as the ship might sink & we all might perish?"

Hearing this, immediately the Zen master, pretending to be in a rage picked up his sharp sword & darted it on his daughter's neck but his daughter was not moved a bit in fear.

He asked- "Aren't you scared, that just an inch more & this sword could cut down your throat!"

His daughter replied- "oh father, you are my master & I'm your child so why should I get scared as I know you love me & I have full faith that you will never hurt me!"

The Zen master replied - " Exactly, my child…this is what I wanted to prove to you…like you, I have full faith in my master who is the universal power called God & no matter how grave the situation might become he can never harm me as he loves me like his own child…so that's why this storm hasn't been able to affect me a bit!!!"

"All ups & downs in life are just simple ways of god to not only check how much faith we have in him but also to make us stronger."

PS: In a river, when the water is flowing in a swift current, the tiny fish are able to swim in it and move about merrily. But a huge elephant is caught in the rapids and is likely to get washed away or drowned in spite of its enormous size. Whatever be the speed of the current, the small fish are able to swim freely in the river and enjoy themselves. But an elephant is unable to survive in it. The reason is: What you need for survival in a river is not bulk but the ability to swim.

Likewise man who is caught up in the ocean of worldly existence (Samsara) needs, not so much of metaphysics or scholarship, but what he needs is faith in the divine.

SAIRAM

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(Extracted, compiled & edited from RADIO SAI JOURNALS)

SOME RESPONSES…

Sir,

This part of "Spiritual quotient" is absolutely excellent. (SQ – 38) The series are like"pills" that cure the diseases of"Arishadvarga" (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Mokha, Matha, Matsarya).

Though they seems to be small stories but have their unimaginable impact and significance and can slowly change the inherent attitudes /attachment/beliefs/apprehensions of the man, which being the hindrances for a prospective spiritual life and finally make him to realize the truth underlying the cosmic world.

Regards,

APARNA Y

This SQ – 38 is one of the finest articles I have ever read ….

Thank you very much for the article.

REVATHI VENKATARAMAN

3. Dear Sir

SQ 38 – "This too will pass."

One of the best SQs I have read. A very hard hitting and thought provoking parable. One must learn to be circumspect at all times especially during 'Highs and Lows'. It is accepted that there is 'no permanency' in this universe and hence one must take things in the right perspective and act accordingly.

The 'E' factor must also be dealt with firmly, since this is the cause for so many problems to mankind.

Thank you.

Regards

JAWAHAR.N.R

Dear Prema,

Sairam. This is so true. We are just watchers. Everything good or bad will pass-by and new challenges appear again to test our belief in Swamy. This is the essence of life. Thanks for sharing with me.

With lots love.

Syamala Aunty

Syamala Voruganti

Sunday, April 26, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 38: THIS TOO WILL PASS !!!

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 38

THIS TOO WILL PASS!!!

Once a King called upon all of his wise men and asked them "Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time? Tell me is there any mantra?"

After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper. But the condition was that king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he'll have to see it. The King put the paper under his Diamond ring.

After a few days, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. It was a collective surprise attack of the King's enemies. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him. He could hear many troops of horses following him and the noise was coming closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley 1000 feet deep. The sound of enemy's horses was approaching fast. The King became restless.

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was very small but very great. The message was – "This too will pass."

The King read it. Again read it. Again & again he read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! It too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all the pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. However when those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. Calm come on his face. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him.

After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were not on his path. The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his lost empire. For a moment King said to himself," I am one of the bravest and greatest Kings. It is not easy to defeat me..:

People were dancing and singing. With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him. Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: "This too will pass" He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness.

"If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnessing all this. We are the perceiver. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes."

PS: There is nothing permanent in this world. Nothing is real. Everything is an illusion. Every thing changes except the law of change. If there are problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.

The ATMA in us will never change. That's the only thing permanent. Let us cling on to that. Understanding this is spirituality!!! SQ SERIES will also pass. Its' frequency will reduce in MAY. THIS TOO WILL PASS!!!

"Take no pride in your possession, in the people at your command, in the youthfulness that you have. Time loots away all these in a moment. Leaving aside all these, after knowing their illusory nature, realize the state of Brahman and enter into it." – ADI SHANKARACHARYA

SAIRAM

Om Sai,

Thank you for the vibhuti and picture that we received today. Sorry you had to resend it too. Thank you for the service as it means a lot when you are overseas. May Sai bless you always?

Sudha and family

Sudha Balakrishna

Dear sir
thank you very much for including me in your premasaigurukulam group. The information passed is very useful and inspirational. May god bless you? Please keep passing mails like this.
sai ram
Bulusu Subba Lakshmi

Thursday, April 23, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 37: THE ULTIMATE TRUTH !!!

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 37

THE ULTIMATE TRUTH!!!

This lion cub, which had lost its mother, and was reared by a sheep, would take itself to be a sheep and was very timid, subdued and fearful. It would move about with the sheep, eat grass, etc.

One day a full grown lion chanced upon them and all the sheep along with the cub tried to flee. The lion was perplexed to see the cub flee from him. So he caught hold of the cub and asked him as to why he was behaving thus. The cub full of fear and trembling, said 'Please don't eat me up.'

The lion out of pity took him to a pond and made him look at his reflection, and said 'You are a lion. You are one of us. See! You look just like me. Now stop this nonsense and roar like me!'

The cub, still trembling, tried to roar, but could only bleat. After several tries, he roared successfully. He was surprised and happy. He was freed from all fear! He now moved among the lions happily as one of them.

The spiritual analogy is obvious - the Lion symbolizes the 'Atma', while the sheep symbolizes body-consciousness, the latter keeping us far away from awareness of our true nature!!!

Another example: Let us say there is a tree and there is also sunlight. The tree would naturally cast a shadow; as a result, we then have both the tree as well as the shadow. The tree is the totality while the shadow, being a projection of the tree on a two-dimensional plane, has features related to the tree.

Thus it is that in the shadow we see bits and pieces of the trunk, the branches, the leaves, and so on. Of course, all the details in the original tree are not seen in the shadow. Similarly, when God created the Universe by projecting Himself, all aspects of His Divinity are not fully evident in this projection. That's why we humans have difficulty in accepting & realizing that we're from God!!! Since all the aspects of God are not clearly visible in us (Except in the case of POORNA AVATARS) we don't realize that we're ourselves God!!!

Surely we would agree that just because the shadow is there, the tree does not vanish or cease to be. This is a very important point, and it is to stress this that Krishna essentially tells Arjuna,

"I am God! I am God! I am not different from God! You're also God! The only difference between you & me is that while you don't realize that you're also God, I'm fully aware that I AM GOD. I AM THAT!!!"

Krishna further explains that the Universe is a projection of the Formless God on space-time. Further, all the diversity we see is a trick of the Divine Shadow Play; that is, on the stage called space-time, The One appears as many!

PS: "The purpose of life is to find unity with God, to realize Divinity within; to find unity with God means to know that you are God. That's all. So long as we feel that we are different from God, there is a long way to go. We will have to travel along the spiritual path until that identity, that oneness, that unity is realized and experienced."

We need to strive to elevate ourselves and work to attain the highest goal, God Himself.

SAIRAM

Moderator,

http://groups.google.co.in/group/premasai_gurukulam

Reply to: premasai.gurukulam@gmail.com

(Extracted, compiled & edited from RADIO SAI JOURNALS)

A FEW RESPONSES…

Sairam,

Thank you for the Spiritual Quotients. I look forward to these Quotients as somewhere there is an answer for everyone's question.

Sairam

Vidula & Jayant

Sai ram,

Thank you for the mail. Wonderful news. I felt Swamy was with me when I delivered the lectures to the students of Sai University in Bangalore. Remembered his words on service then. Please keep your wonderful service going.regards,
sairam

Ramanathan Hariharan

Good one.

Or you could just be PUSHY. (SQ – 36)

P - Pray

U - Until

S - Swami

H - Hears

Y - You
in Krishna always,

Saras Suppiah

Sai Ram.

Dear Sir,

I request you to include my email address when forwarding SQ related mails.

Many thanks and warmest regards.

Premchander S Raj

Dear Premasai Grurukulam Group,

My name is syamala Voruganti. I would like to join in your group news letter. Could you please enroll me in your group for receiving updated information on our Swamy? My email address is syamalav@yahoo.com . Thanking you in advance.

Syamala Voruganti

Dear Sir,

The words "P.U.S.H. = Pray Until Something Happens! " & Harini's "Achyuthan" are excellent.

With thanks and Warm Regards

Kesavan VS

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 36: IMPLICIT OBEDIENCE !!!

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 36

IMPLICT OBEDIENCE!!!

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room was filled with light, and the Lord told the man that he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might every day!

The man did so, day after day. For several days he toiled from dawn to dusk, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain as the rock simply didn't budge even an inch!!! But he persisted.

Since the man was showing slight discouragement, the 'Satan' decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into his weary tired mind. "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved. You've been fooled by God! The task is impossible and you're a failure."

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan continued, "Why kill yourself over this? Just give minimum effort, and that will be good enough. Then come & enjoy life with me."

That's what the man planned to do as the 'monkey mind' played mischief & he was completely influenced by the Satan, but decided to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing? Why have you asked me to do this?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My dear fellow, I told you that your task was just to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it! Your task was just to push. That's all & that you've done successfully!!!"

"And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown; your legs have become massive and hard. Your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Your task was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my child, will move the rock." Announced God triumphantly!!!

The Man simply bowed in reverence & humility!

PS: We should not waver - having devotion today, tomorrow seeking sensual gratification, and then the day after, back to devotion again. When something goes wrong, we are filled with despair. When discipline is enforced, we start holding back, and when love is showered, we are first again. This dual attitude must be given up. – SATHYA SAI BABA

When every thing seems to go wrong, just P. U. S. H.;

When people don't react the way you think they should, just P. U. S. H.;

When people just don't understand you, just P. U. S. H.!

P.U.S.H. = Pray Until Something Happens!

RESPONSES…

Sir,

I daily get SQ forwarded by my friend. SQ series is interesting... I thought I could share something I heard in a sathsang...

Endiram or Yendiram (a machine which grinds grains, can be seen in villages).Many people might not have seen this. It has two units; the bottom unit has a pole at the center on which the top unit will be mounted.

Grains are put in thru the hole at the top unit. The center pole can be called as "acchu" in tamil and the top unit is rotated to grind what ever grain fed in. Always at the end of the grinding process if the top unit is removed, some full grains will be sticking to the pole or the aachu undisturbed, which can be compared as

Acchu/Pole – Achyuthan

Grains – Humans

If humans stick to Achyutha they will not be put under any trouble or miseries and will be safe.

Regards

Harini.S

Dear Sir,

The quote "one does not have to give up PROPERTIES. Instead, what is important is to develop PROPER TIES with God!" is really superb. This series really wakes up our thoughts.

Great effort.

Regards,

SANKARANARAYANAN R

DEAR SIR,
GOD BLESS YOU,THE EXAMPLE QUOTED IS VERY INSPIRING AND IS A DIRECTION
TO ALL DIVINE SEEKAR`S LOVE ALL SERVE ALL IN THE NAME OF GOD. (SQ – 35)
THANK YOU SIR,
WITH REGARDS,
JAI SAIRAM
B V NARASIMHA RAO.

Dear Sirs,

Very good examples and have depth meaning which everyone has to ponder upon. Thanking u for sending such a wonderful messages. Please keep sending. May our Sai bless us all!

Sai Devotee,

INDIRA KANNAN

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 35: PROPERTIES OR PROPER TIES !!!

SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT – 35

PROPERTIES OR PROPER TIES!!!

Swami Ramanand Tirth had a wife and son [before he became a renunciate]. After he became a renunciate, his wife once came to see him. The Swamiji turned his face and said that he was a renunciate and that therefore the lady should not come to see him.

Hearing this, the lady replied that she had not come there to see her husband but a holy sanyasi. Ramanand Tirth was humbled by the reply and felt regret that he has spoken proudly to the woman.

The Swami then realized that one does not have to give up PROPERTIES. Instead, what is important is to develop PROPER TIES with God! People think that giving up means that one must renounce life. What one must give up is attachment - this is the true meaning of renunciation. Swami Ramanand Tirth learnt this truth that day.

The mind is the culprit & the reason for such a feeling of pride earlier. Happiness can be attained & pride can be annihilated only if the mind is turned towards God. If the mind is turned towards the world, then life would become painful.

For example, if it rains and we want to catch the rainwater, we must place a vessel in the rain with the mouth of the vessel facing the sky. Only then will the rainwater collect in the vessel. If on the other hand we place the vessel upside down, how can we expect rainwater to collect in the vessel?

Our mind is the vessel and God is the sky. Once we turn the mind towards God; then the water of Grace can surely be collected.

Another example: A knife is used by a surgeon and a knife is also used by a killer. The surgeon's cutting of a person is for his good, but the killer uses the knife for an evil purpose. A butcher may use knife to cut meat and a lady may use a knife to cut fruit for a salad. If all the knives are put in a circle with a magnet at the centre, all the knives will be equally attracted by the magnet. The good or bad is not in the knives.

Similarly God is the magnet and all of us are attracted to God. Good and bad are not in a human being, but in the way the mind is used!!! Mind is a monkey and has to be tamed!!!

SAIRAM

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Reply to: premasai.gurukulam@gmail.com

(Extracted, compiled & edited from RADIO SAI JOURNALS)

RESPONSES…

Dear Sir,

This story is really good. (SQ – 34) In Srimad Bhagavatham, Ajamila's story is narrated by Sri Sukar to make us understand that even if we chant the Lord's Name unknowingly / without any intention, He is there to save us just as Ajamila was saved from the Yama Dhootas. This story is to prove that if we want to do something out of our own efforts instead of depending on the Lord's grace, it is sure to backtrack.

As you have rightly said, a person will be able to remember the Lord at the time of death only if he practices chanting the Lord's various Names on a daily basis as ordained in our scriptures.

Regards

Vasantharajan R

Sairam,

I did not get the SQ 31 mail. Can you please send it?

Also I am not continuously getting mails from 'Sairam Gurukulam'. I login everyday to see what message Swami was conveying to me for the day and get disappointed when there are no mails :).

And then, I get 3 mails in a single day! Is there some delay in Yahoo?

Thanks for all your stories & SQ - It keeps me grounded & more attached to divinity than worldly matters.

Regards,
Lakshmi

haranlakshmi@yahoo.co.in

Sathya Sai baba

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 41: SIN OF INGRATITUDE !!!

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 40: THE PEARL NECKLACE !!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUPTIENT - 39: THE ZEN MASTER !!!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 38: THIS TOO WILL PASS !!!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 37: THE ULTIMATE TRUTH !!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 36: IMPLICIT OBEDIENCE !!!

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 35: PROPERTIES OR PROPER TIES !!!

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