SAIPADANANDAOnly the Knowledge imparted by a Guru is powerful and beneficial; otherwise it becomes useless

and fruitless. He, who attains knowledge by pleasing his Guru with every attention and adoration,

readily obtains success therein. There is not the least doubt that Guru is Father, Guru is Mother

and Guru is God even; and as such He should be served by all, with their thought, word and

deed. By Guru's Grace every felicity (or Good) relating to the soul is obtained. Hence the Guru

ought to be worshipped for one's own good. May Baba bless you all with contentment and peace

"Jai Sri Sai Ram"

- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

CONTENTS1. Greatness of the Guru (Editorial)

2. Homage to the Guru

3. Swamiji's Message of Divine Love

4. Swamiji Solves our Problems

5. Worship of the Primordial Guru

6. Swamiji at Hysodlour

7. Plan of Action for Guru Poornima

8. Significance of Guru Purnima

9. Power of Guru (Permanent Feature)

10. Test in Detachment

11. Prayer Stairs

12. 'Madhu' Tahsildar

13. Be a Tool of the Higher Power

14. The Mind must be raised

15. Worship of SaiBaba

16. The Power of Saintliness

17. Sarveshwara of Shirdi

18. Unfailing Influence of Swamiji

19. Mother Turns Hundred

20. Sai Baba Everywhere

21. Pray for Light

22. All is well

23. Truthful Living and Miracles

24. Swamiji Rings the Bell

25. Love and Devotion

26. A Garland of Love

27. Sai Love Personified

28. Swamiji's Birthday Celebrations

29. Looking beyond one Crore

30. Jubilee Convention

31. To the other Shore

32. Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, the Wonder Maker

Editorial Greatness of the Guru

THE glory of the Guru is full of mystery and is supremely divine. He gives a new birth to man, he

gives him the experience of knowledge; he shows him 'sadhana' and makes him a lover of God.

There are so many Gurus in the world. Everyone becomes a Guru. Wherever you go there is

nothing but Gurus-so many that people have become confused by all their conflicting teachings.

Whenever a Guru appears, he starts a new sect. He has never been anybody's disciple but he

claims to be everybody's Guru. There are countless teachings, countless sects. It has become a

way of earning, a living, and a business that does not involve any hard work. But this is not how it

should be.

A true Guru awakens the inner 'Shakthi' of a disciple and makes him revel in bliss of the 'Self.

This is what the Guru really is. He bestows the ecstasy of knowledge and the joy of divine love,

who teaches detachment in action and grants liberation in this very life time. That supreme Guru

is identical with Vishnu. That Guru is Shiva, that Guru is Rama, that Guru is Sai Baba, that Guru

is your father and mother. He is being worshipped by all. He makes the light blaze in the body of

his disciple, gives him his blessing and grace, and then remains immersed in his own sport.

Through the favor of the Guru, man takes on the form of God and lives drunk with ecstasy. Such

a Guru is great and exalted; he cannot be understood by the ordinary intellect.

H.H. Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji was a supremely divine Guru. He lived like a

simple man and his glory was not of an ordinary kind. Through his grace alone, this great being

would transform his devotees into priests of love. By his grace, he made his devotees perceive

knowledge and led them to Sai Baba. The qualities of knowledge, yoga, devotion and selfless

action were perfectly blended in him. He always lived in a thought-free state, as if mind itself had

become consciousness. We knew him as a unique ecstatic yogi. Although omniscient, he feigned

ignorance.

He did not attach any importance to miraculous powers; believed that compared with Sai Baba's

miracle of 'Self-manifestation' all other miracles are insignificant. The world is in Sai Baba-what

miracle could be greater than this? Even the earth considers herself fortunate when a perfect

saint like Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji walks on her. Blessing him with divine fervor, the Guru turns

a person's ordinary life, with mother, father, and relatives, into a sacred existence. Then he

follows his occupation in society and sees his life as a gift bestowed by Sai Baba. He performs

every action with a mind devoted to Sai Baba and as he gains the Guru's grace, he naturally,

through recitation of 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam' sees Sai Baba shining in his own heart. Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji has this way bestowed on us the vision of Sai Baba even while we are

living in this world.

How should we act toward that venerable supreme Guru Radhakrishna Swamiji who enters his

devotee as he recites 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam'? How should we love him? How should we repay

his beneficence? O Swamiji! In our impure and ever-changing physical bodies, you see neither

difference nor non-difference, purity nor impurity, disease nor absence of disease. Full of grace,

you enter us and wash away our sins and uncleanliness. You enter us as we recite 'Vishnu

Sahasra Namam' and activate every blood cell and nerve. What sustenance you give; how

gracious, how compassionate you are? What friend can there be like the Guru Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji who initiating us into 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam', cleans like a washer man all the limbs

and organs of the body, both pleasant and unpleasant, who cleanses its nerves clogged with

impurities, and takes away all its disorders of phlegm, bile and wind? What friend, what lover,

what mother, what deity is there like such a Guru? What service can one offer him? How can we

sing the greatness of such a Guru? Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji is everything to us our, supreme,

father, our deity, our ecstasy and meditation are solely Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji - beloved

Saipadananda. "I worship the Sadguru, the beloved Guru" -can we, singing thus, ever repay Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji's bounty? No, Swamiji, you are Almighty. We exist only because of you.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

- Goethe

Homage to the GuruWe in Sri Sai Spiritual Centre worship the Trinity-Sai Saba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji — as the 'three-in-one' Guru. As we celebrate 'Guru Poornima' on July 7,

1990:

We invoke the lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj, the most auspicious one, whose

look of grace dispels all misfortunes and bestows the highest good. We remember our Parama

Guru Sri Narasimha Swamiji, who is Supreme Being, untainted, utterly pure, the Absolute, whose

presence easily grants the transcendental state. May Sri Saipadananda Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji, the goal of our worship, the spring of Vedanta, the divine witness who is realised through

knowledge and detachment and recitation of 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' promote our true welfare.

May our Guru, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, by whose favor we achieve new awareness’, who

securely establishes his devotees in the state of perfection like his own by transmitting his

'Shakthi' into us, as we recite 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' lead us in every moment of our life. To

obtain their munificence, we bow to Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji, who reside in our hearts, pervade everywhere, whose favor is the knowledge of the

identity of the individual soul and the Absolute.

Bring peace and goodwill to all of us.

Direct our pathway into unity, happiness and prosperity.

Remove the thought of fear and greed from our minds.

May every thought of hate be turned to love;

May every thought of fear be turned to faith.

May every thought of doubt be turned to certainty

May every thought of fight be turned to peace.

May everybody be happy and none suffer from sorrow.

Swamiji's Message of Divine LoveBy Rangaswami Parthasarathy

The world is in a mess today. We see conflict, hatred, strife and turmoil everywhere. Man's heart

is wrecked by violence and passion which have assumed monstrous proportion and threaten to

destroy the very foundation of human life and existence. Our mind has become a battlefield of

emotions, of challenges and evil designs and we are all the time devising weapons and resources

to satisfy our cravings and to beat the other fellow. The animal in us is gaining control day by day

and we have forgotten what it is to love and to show compassion.

H. H. Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji came in our midst as a personification of love and

compassion and he taught us what love is, what compassion is. His biographer described his

presence in these words: "Radhakrishna Swamiji was the embodiment of love. He lived in love,

breathed love and spread the message of love. His eyes radiated love and there was compassion

in every word of his, in every act. He loved everything that lived, man or animal, birds or insects,

every creature that owed its existence to God. He believed in the philosophy and efficacy of love,

and said it was the surest and painless way to reach God. Love was divine, he said, love

conquered everything, man's inhumanity, and his baser emotions like hatred, jealousy and greed.

With St. Paul, he believed Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels if I have not

love I am become as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal'. "Love, which Radha Krishna swami

taught, has nothing to do with love as we know it or as we practice it in varying degrees in our day

to day life. It is not sexual love, it is not parental love, it is not love which is given in return for

something. The love which Swamiji spoke of and which he embodied in his own self was inborn,

without a cause or reason, elemental and spontaneous. It is infinite, timeless and ever present. It

is not evanescent like the waning moon ever at the mercy of emotions and passions and

flickering like the lamp disturbed by the wind. It is not the creature of desire and ambition, of lust

and greed; it cannot be sold or bought.

It is not a plaything to allure people, a device to deceive people by false pretences. Swamiji's love

was colorless, tasteless and universal. It had no beginning and no end. It was not separate from

him; it was part of his being. It had a glitter and dazzling brilliance as it shone in his eyes

scattering its rays and illuminating all those around him. It penetrated the stoniest heart and

melted the minds of even the worst specimens of humanity. As his biographer noted: "His love

was an all-embracing love, unconditional, abundant. It made no distinction between the high and

the low, the rich and the poor, the religious and irreligious, the believer and non-believer, the

good man and the bad. His love was like an ocean in which anybody can have a dip and taste its

nectar. His eyes spoke words of comfort and cheer and there was love in every gesture of his, in

every action".

He believed that true religion did not mean only ritualistic observances, baths and pilgrimage.

True religion stood for love, love for all animate and inanimate things, for nature and its creations.

He said there was no higher religion than love. Cosmic love is all embracing and all inclusive, he

said. It is hatred that separates man from man he said and it is pride and egotism that divides one

from another. Hatred, jealously, greed and pride are the products of our imagination, of our

ignorance. "Just as darkness is dispelled by the rays of the sun so also jealously and hatred is

dispelled by the rays of Divine Love," he said. Divine love is totally free from the tinge of

selfishness.

Swamiji said that pure love alone can purify the heart and liberate one from grief, pain and fear

and lead to the path of self-realisation. Swamiji again and again referred to Krishna's Rasa Lila

and said it was the finest expression of divine love of the gopis for Krishna and there was nothing

sexual in it. He said: "Divine call (nada Brahman) is aroused only when the jiva is prepared to

meet the Lord and only it could hear it. He stood there on the banks of the Yamuna only to

receive their love offerings. It was a lila of love (pure prema) between loving devotees on the one

hand and their beloved on the others. There was nothing in this like lust or Kama, the degraded

form of earthly love. The Rasa Lila symbolizes the eternal activity in the manifested universe of

prakriti and purusha, of matter and spirit."

Swamiji said: "Love is the summon bonus of life without which life is a desert. Love is the very life

of the soul and the very light that enlightens the subtle spiritual stages for the full revelation of

Krishna. The more we love the more we live and live in accordance with the highest principles of

nature." Swamiji believed that if the masses of people comprising the nations of the world

adopted the path of love and peace the danger of the growth of the devilish nature in us would

vanish and we would be better human beings. "Love between man and man, nation and nation

will grow and there will descend on earth a reign of perpetual peace.

"Man has evolved through the ages in progressive stages from the primitive savage, with little to

choose between him and the beast, to the highly intelligent and creative being with sharply

developed brain and emotions which spur him into discovering the mysteries of nature and at the

same time using his tireless energy to destroy it and the world. The process of evolution of a

higher, more spiritual human being rid of passions and emotions had been arrested and the time

has come for mankind to resume the advance towards evolving a new human being, the Man of

Love.

Swamiji Solves Our ProblemsBy Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar

"Silence of the mouth, silence of the mind, silence of the will is the formula for approaching the Almighty." —Molinos

How can I express in words the depth of my gratitude to H.H. Saipadananda Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji? Ever since I came under his magnetic spell in 1977, I have undergone a complete

transformation by his grace. But for his benediction, I would have been entrapped in worldly life,

experiencing happiness and misery. But now I float in the waters of bliss. I feel that I am the

happiest of all, as I have discovered 'Kalpa Vriksha' in the form of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. I am

marching ahead on the spiritual path. Whether or not I reach the final destination depends entirely

on him.

What is it that we all suffer from? We are lonely, our lives are empty; there is no love in our

hearts, no richness of content. We are afraid of death, we are more afraid to live. The fear of

being nothing is the greatest of all fears. Because we are inwardly poor, we seek compensation in

outward wealth. We are inwardly powerless and we seek to control and desire outward power

and authority. Because we have no love in our hearts we indulge in charity and service of the

poor. Because we are inwardly nothing, we identify ourselves with great causes and noble ideals.

With this background I met Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji for the first time in 1977. With relentless

clarity he exposed my hidden motives and incentives to my action. He pointed out that all my

individual problems were the products of a motivated action — the incentive always being the

desire to be somebody, great and distinguished. Swamiji pointed out that this is a self-enclosing

process. It leads to loneliness. Great men are very lonely men. Is motiveless action possible?

Can man act spontaneously, freely? Real freedom is the unimpeded activity of the human spirit.

Motive is desire which destroys this freedom. How can we be free from desire?

SensitiveThis is the fundamental truth that Swamiji discovered in all human problems. Swamiji had

perfected his gift for listening in the story of human heart that is poured out in spontaneous self-

exposure. He was extraordinarily sensitive to the tragedy of man, and he had the rare gift of

attracting to himself crowds of people who are in suffering and who seek to expose themselves to

the radiations of his healing love. Initiation into 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' is the way in which

Swamiji dealt with concrete human problems. He threw the searchlight of his powerful and subtle

intuition and made his visitor aware of the complex problem of his self. Every human problem is

essentially the problem of the self. The human mind is the creator of the problem. In our daily life,

we are not aware of this. We separate ourselves from our suffering and struggle to put an end to

it. We desire to forget ourselves in all kinds of activities and we do not face ourselves. "Why do

we not do so" Swamiji questions. Because we are nothing and the human mind refuses to face

the state of nothingness. Everlastingly, the self wants to become something greater, finer, and

more distinguished.

It is only when we recite 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' and concentrate on the lotus feet of Sai Baba

we are ready to face the source of our suffering. Swamiji told me: "Why are we not content to be

just ourselves. Why do we perpetually strive to be something which we are not? The tree is

perfect, because it does not strive to be anything else but a tree. In the universe each one is

perfect. There is no great and small, except in our world of egoistic selves. To be content to be

just what one is, is the beginning of wisdom; it opens the door to the Eternal. In our desire to

perpetuate our happy experience the mind dwells constantly on them and strengthens the

memories of past happiness. So we linger as long as possible on such memories and we

continually miss the beauty and freshness of the new. To be sensitive to the eternal Reality which

exists only in the present, the mind must be cleansed every moment of its past accumulations.

Only then does Sai Baba come into being. Sai Baba is ever new.

The desire ceases when the supreme is seen. But the supreme cannot be seen by a petty mind.

The awareness of the pettiness and the stupidities of our mind without condemnation or

resentment bring freedom from desire. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji has given me a new life and

what a new life? A life now so full of joy, a life so full of meaning, and a life now spent with

Swamiji. Swamiji—May you fill all my thoughts—nay my entire being.

Love looks forward; hate looks back, and anxiety has eyes all over its head.

- Mignon McLaughlin

Worship of the Primordial GuruBy H. H. Chidananda Avadhuta

(H. H. Chidananda Avadhuta lived on Baglamukhi Mountain on the bank of River Tungabhadra,

beyond Hampi in Karnataka. He was a great Siddha and had directly realised the Goddess

Baglamukhi. This article describes a method of meditation on the Guru in which one installs the

Guru within oneself, so that one becomes the Guru and then meditates on him. The article is in

the form of a dialogue between Parashiva and one of his sons, Karttikeya)

- EditorPara Shiva said. "O! Karttikeya, you are a jewel among devotees to the Guru; great is meditation

on the Guru. It is the supreme and secret sadhana of the Siddhas. Meditation on the Guru brings

both liberation and worldly enjoyment. Furthermore, as one continues to meditate, he eventually

becomes the supreme Guru, who is immersed in transcendental bliss and whose essence is

transcendental radiance Karttikeya, the Guru is without beginning or end, even though you can

see him in a physical form. His ways cannot be known. The principle of the Guru is the primordial

principle, which is of the nature of supreme bliss, which is motionless and yet the root cause of all

motion, where all thought ends, where the course of rebirth ceases. It is the ground of the

animate and inanimate world, the goal of Om, the home of Siddhas. O! Lover of gurubhakti,

Karttikeya, It is where all controversy between nirguna and saguna dissolves where no one can

go without a Guru, and from where there is no return. It is the God of all gods, the support of all,

the destiny of all, the true Self of all, such is Sri Gurudev

Pure Consciousness"Periodically, he incarnates in the form of a man outwardly and in the form of the Guru inwardly.

Through his blessing and his discipline he gives his disciples his own nature and his own

condition. The highest benefits come from meditating on the image of the Guru, who is the

essence of pure Consciousness. O! Karttikeya, firm in yoga, that transcendent radiance, which is

without attributes, without form, which is the origin of being, is the supreme Guru. All directions,

all spaces, all mountains, all forests, all rivers, all oceans and all great masses of land—

everything formed of the five elements-are all the very body of the Guru. From east to west, from

north to south, from above to below, from hell to heaven, Kailasa, Vaikunta, and the final

destination of the liberated— all of this is the forever-blissful Guru. He has become all things, but

he is separate from them all. He belongs to nothing and nothing is his.

"The Guru is the supreme goal of the mantra So'ham, and the form of So'ham. He is the movable

and the immovable. He is the microcosm and the macrocosm. He comes, as the human Guru, to

grant his Shakti to his people, his children, his own souls, his dear devotees. He is the founder of

the Path of the Siddhas. His mind, habits, and behavior are in no way ordinary. He is neither a

man nor a woman. He is, simply, the Guru, His body has been tempered in the flames of

Kundalini yoga—the seven elements have become filled with Chiti, and pranava—the primordial

sound, Om—has become So-ham, and plays in his prana. All the activities of the world are the

divine play of the Guru.

"You should meditate on the Guru, imagining him to be in every part of you. O! devotee of the

Guru, this is the highest worship. Be still, drive out all the fluctuations of thought, and make your

mind free of all support. Remove all the thoughts from your mind. Sit down before the Guru. First,

bow to him, the supreme Guru who contains all gods, all mantras, all saints and sages. Bow to

him in all directions saying, 'Gurudev, you are everything. You appear as the universe. In

whatever form you may be, I bow to you again and again.' When you have bowed to him in this

way, with your whole mind, O! Karttikeya, then meditate on him, understanding him to be

perfectly present before you and behind you, above you and below you—the complete Guru-

principle in all directions.

Let your body become filled with him. Remember that just as cloth is composed of threads, with

cloth present in every thread, so are you in the Guru, and he in you. With this kind of vision, see

the Guru and yourself as one. A pitcher is no different from the clay it is made of, and your Guru

is no different from you. This is the understanding you should have. Now, sit down, become

perfectly peaceful, and adopt a meditative posture. Raise your hands to your head as if it were

your Guru's head and touch your Guru's head and touch your two eyes, your ears, your nose,

your tongue, your neck, your shoulders, imagining that they are all parts of the Guru in the same

way touch your chest, your heart, your stomach, your back, your waist, your thighs, your knees,

your calves, your feet, saying over and over, "This is the Guru's; this is the Guru's—right down to

your toenails. And as you move down your body, keep repeating in your mind 'Guru Om, Guru

Om, and Guru Om.' You should touch every part again in the same way, repeating the mantra

Guru Om until you reach your head. Implant the Guru in every part of your body, and finally touch

your head, saying 'Guru Om', so that you, yourself, are the Guru you are the mantra, you are

everything, you are in the Guru and the Guru, is in you. Concentrating on this feeling, begin to

meditate. Every day meditate in this way: 'The Guru is in me, I am in the Guru'—and do not have

any doubts at all about it, meditate and repeat Guru Om."

Forget yourself as you. Parashiva continues: "....O Swami Karttikeya! When you have your bath,

you should wash yourself as the form of the Guru understanding that he lives in every part of your

body. When you eat offer your food to the Guru, saying of yourself, "The Guru who dwells in the

heart is enjoying my food' To bathe the image of the Guru when you bathe yourself: to offer what

you eat to him, and to offer all your other actions to him, your benefactor; to recite every day

'Guru Om, Guru Om', understanding him to be the giver, the enjoyer, the sacrifices and all the

sacrifices—this is the great worship of the Guru."

Again Parashiva says: "O! Karttikeya, by worshipping the Guru, a disciple soon becomes the form

of the Guru. A person becomes like him to whom he chants, whom he worships, and on whom he

meditates. So, the saguna discipline of meditating on the Guru, worshipping him, remembering

the Guru mantra, and installing him in every hair of the body, quickly brings a great change in the

heart of the disciple. Therefore, in solitude, with secret feeling, meditate in your heart on the

supreme Guru, becoming the Guru. This is the secret path of the Siddhas, the master key of the

Sadgurus, the divine and happy bed that bestows inner peace to the Guru's devotee. It is the

ladder to the city of liberation.

"All this will not interest people who are not devoted to the Guru. O! Swami Karttikeya! only they

on whom the Guru has bestowed his grace can understand these mysteries. Without God's

grace, they will not be able to understand and enjoy the worship of the Guru." Having described

the glory of the Guru, worship of the Guru, and meditation on the Guru in this way. Lord Shiva

departed for Mount Kailasa, and Sri Karttikeya fell deep into meditation on the Guru."

Swamiji at HysodlourBy G. Baba Mohan

Readers of 'Saipadananda' are aware that a group of our devotees led by Sri D. V. Krishna

Murthy participated in the sixth Anniversary celebrations of Sai Baba Ashram at Hysodlour, in

Coorg in 1989, wherein a large photograph of H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji was unveiled. We

again took part in this year's Anniversary held on April 26 and 27, 1990 on the 'Akshay Trutiya

day.

Swami Sukhatmananda, President of Ramakrishna Ashram, Ponnampet, was the chief guest.

Our own Sai-brother, Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar, presided over the Anniversary celebration and

highlighted the mission of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and Sri Narasimha Swamiji. He invited Sai

devotees who were present to visit Sri Sai Spiritual Centre and obtain the blessings of Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji.

H. H Sri Swami Chinnappa, who runs the Ashram, looked after us very well. We had an

illuminating 'Satsang' with him and were happy to see our Swamiji in the serene atmosphere of

Hysodlour Ashram.

Plan of Action for Guru Poornima(Excerpts from the message of H.H. Sri Narasimha Swamiji to All India Sai Devotees'

Convention)

H.H. Sri Narasimha SwamijiIT is up to every hearer of this message to vigorously whip up his own attachment to Sai Baba,

improve his knowledge also of Sai Baba's ways of working, get into contact with Baba's children,

and develop himself by surrender and service to Baba into an 'Ankita' child. This is only part of

the work of diffusion of knowledge about Sai Baba.

It is necessary for us to diffuse as much knowledge about Baba as possible. Literature is the chief

means that we think about in this connection. Journals must be multiplied in various languages

and gatherings and lectures and kirtans should be held all over the country. Poojas and bhajans

without number must be found everywhere everyday. Sai must permeate the country from one

end to the other. Let no one think that this is a fancy sketch. At present conditions approximating

to this are found in several parts of the country. Even young, little, toddling creatures pick up the

name 'SAT 'SAT 'SAI' and have sufficient faith to cure themselves of various diseases by merely

taking Sai's udhi.

So I will close my message with this prayer that Baba may put it into the heart of you become

extremely practical and to carry on work in dead earnest. May you become the ' Ankita ' children

of Baba by your total surrender to him and devotion of all your time, energies and wealth to his

cause?

Significance of Guru PurnimaBy H. H. Abu Babaji (Ooty)

What people call Guru Purnima, I call God's day. Why? Because I understand and firmly believe

that there is only one God for all mankind and every religion. He is the creator of all. He is the

only true Guru. The explanation is very simple-nobody has come to this earth with knowledge or

the power to speak, even those whom He has sent as His special chosen ones as messengers of

God whom we call Prophets, Nabis, Avtars and Saints. We all know that their jnana or knowledge

is from Almighty God. Thus, he is the true Guru.

So, I request my children, if you wish to celebrate Guru Purnima, to do so while revering our

original Guru, Almighty God. At the same time, we must not forget God's messengers-the Nabis,

Avtars and Saints - who impart God's knowledge to us to put us on the right path. So, it is our

duty to seek their blessings also.

The highest joy we can give God, our Merciful Creator, is that which He likes most—

1) To remember Him with gratitude and reverence for all that He has given us.

2) If He has given us more than we need, we must share with those in need.

Furthermore, I want to teach you the true significance of "Guru-dakshina" A loving disciple gives

'dakshina' to his Guru with reverence. Generally it is meant for his Guru, who, in fact got the

Mantra from the ultimate Guru—Brahma, Allah or God. So, the 'dakshina' should be given in the

name of God through his Guru, provided his Guru utilizes this 'dakshina' for good causes, if he

declares himself a servant of God and also a father and mother to his disciples.

! have seen that a Guru usually gives Mantras on this day only to his followers but, according to

me as Mantras are given to a Guru by our God, it should be given to all mankind, and not only to

his followers. His duty is to give the Mantras in the name of God, and not to compel anybody to

accept or to reject. It is between him and God.

On this auspicious day, I have been inspired by my Master, our Almighty God, to give you this

Mantra in six words to recite—three in Sanskrit and three in Arabic. Despite the different

languages, the meaning remains the same:

Pavitram — Nishta

Shaktiman

AI-Quddus — AI-Mumin — Al-Jabbar

Meaning: The Holy — The Faithful — The Strong

Men think of ways and matters, of rules and devices to arrive at God's Love. But is it not quicker

and easier just to do our common duties, day by day, wholly for the love of God? You need

nothing beyond this. Go as you are to Him, unpretending, single-hearted.

- Brother Lawrence

Permanent FeaturePower of Guru

(Extract from an article 'From Heart to Heart' by Swami Gnaneswarananda, depicting the life of

Pavahari Baba)

BABA was a great saint and lived in a cave. When he went to bathe in Ganga, a burglar entered

his cave and searched every where but could not find any money. He found nothing but a brass

pot which he took. As he was leaving the cave, he found himself confronted by the holy man, who

was just returning. The burglar threw down the pot and ran away. At a glance, Pavahari Baba

understood the whole affairs. He picked up the pot and ran after the thief calling him to stop.

Finally Baba overtook the burglar and kneeling before him offered the brass pot saying: "My God,

you came to my home and going away without accepting any offering. May it please you to

accept this" These were not mere words. The sincerity behind that outburst of inner feeling struck

the burglar and without a single word he took the pot and went away.

That one act of Pavahari Baba transformed the burglar. He considered Baba his Guru and the act

of offering the pot initiation. He did not go home after that. He renunciated everything and went to

Himalayas practiced austerity and meditation, and ultimately attained illumination.

Empty your mindNan-in, a Buddhist monk was visited by a University Professor who came to enquire about

Buddhism.

Nan-in served tea. He poured the visitor's cup full and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he could no longer restrain himself, then said, "It is

overfull. No more can go in."

"Like this cup", Nan-in replied, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations- How can I

show you Buddhism unless you first empty your cup."

Test in DetachmentBY Miss B. CHAYA DEVI

I did not see H.H. Saipadananda Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji with these physical eyes. But my

heart goes to him, as I learnt that he visited Vishakhapatnam in 1973 to install the marble idol of

Sai Baba in our Shipyard Housing Colony. The holy touch of this great saint has made this temple

a unique one, offering peace and prosperity to many far and wide.

By Swamiji's grace, in 1989 I came in touch with an intimate devotee of Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji, who has taken me as his young sister. For him, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji is everything.

He initiated me into 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' and never tires of glorifying Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji in all his letters. With this background, I request the devotees of Sai Baba and Swamiji to

answer the following queries. Those are really fortunate who had the physical contact of Swamiji.

There must be umpteen people like me who must have been influenced by Swamiji even in the

post-Samadhi period.

As Swamiji's devotees, are you free of enslavement to current, social standards and passing

movements, knowing that they are but ripples upon the stream of life? Can you look upon all

religions, sciences and ideologies as steps in the search of truth, always transitory in nature,

always disintegrating to re-integrate on a higher level of understanding? With regular recitation of

Vishnu Sahasranamam, can you walk with the proud, the wealthy or celebrated without a feeling

of inferiority and without apologizing or comparing yourself with them?

Remembering Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, can you walk with the ignorant, the weak or the poor,

without the feeling of superiority, knowing that they are your Sai - bandhus? Do you

respect the free-will of your friends? Can you rejoice in their accomplishments? Can you give

to your most beloved a devotion that is more an outpouring than a receiving one and

which guards and cherishes without something your love with possessiveness? Do you think

of your wealth and possessions to inspire awe in an enemy? (Do you have enemies at all.......?)

Do your possessions possess you?

Are they a burden you carry or a false standard you must maintain? Would not be a pauper be

richer in freedom than you?

Can you reach out your hand to offer a cooling cup, to ease a burden or lead a straying one,

without becoming bound to the unfortunate one by ties of pity or sentiment? In acting as your Sai-

brother's custodian, can you fulfill an obligation without interfering with his right to learn his own

lesson? If you, my dear Sai brothers and Sai Sisters, can do all these, then you belong to the clan

of Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji—rarest of the rare and who know real emancipation,

Prayer StairsBy B. Bhasker

"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I,

here am I; send me" -

- Isaiah 6: 8My boss is a Sai devotee. He has an elevator straight up to his office. He seldom uses it,

preferring the stairs. He calls them his 'PRAYER STAIRS'. In the morning as he walks up to his

office, with each mounting footfall he prays, asking Sai Baba to guide him in every step he will

take that day.

"Nothing so completely describes my God as Truth. Denial of God we have known. Denial of

Truth we have not known,"

- Mahatma Gandhi

'MADHU' TahsildarBy D. Ramakrishnaiah

"I shall find Thy infinite joy abiding in each glory of sound, sight and scent My passion shall burn

as the flame of salvation. The flower of my love shall become the ripe fruit of devotion."

- Rabindranath TagoreI have the good fortune of having the blessings of both Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji. On several occasions I had accompanied them in Sai Prachar work in

Nellore District during 1945-47. I used to translate the English speeches into Telugu. Whenever I

used to visit Madras, invariably their magnetic influence pulled me to All India Sai Samaj. When I

was working as Deputy Tahsildar in the upland taluks of Udayagiri, Kanigiri and Atmakur of

Nellore District, I used to take fresh honey available in those areas and offer it to Sri Narasimha

Swamiji, and he used to bless me by calling endearingly "My 'Madhu' Tahsildar is here."

After retirement I settled down at Nellore and from 1963-74, I had the privilege of working as

Treasurer of the Sai Mandir there and also actively took part in conducting the All India Sai

Devotees' Convention in 1972. We have been told by our scriptures that the grace of the Guru is

a wonderful, mysterious factor that will enable the aspirant to seek and to attain the summon

bonnum of life- Self-Realisation - Vision of God. This was my experience when I stayed in the

Mylapore shrine of Sai Baba along with H.H Radhakrishna Swamiji for over a month in 1972. He

endearingly used to compel me to have food along with him. Again when Swamiji came to Nellore

to attend the Sai Devotees Convention he honored me by staying with us. I can never forget this

holy and honored guest and the 'satsang' we had with him.

My reminiscences of Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji have made me affirm

that whether the disciple does Sadhana or not, whether he is deserving or undeserving, Guru-

kripa sets aside all normal laws that operate in the spiritual plane and takes one to the

transcendental bliss. Besides Guru-kripa, there is nothing needed for one to attain perfection in

life.

May the blessings of Sai Baba - Narasimha Swamiji - Radhakrishna Swamiji be always with us.

Be a Tool of the Higher PowerBy Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi

Only so long as you think you are the actor, you are obliged to reap the fruits of your actions. If,

on the other hand you surrender yourself and recognize your individual self to be a tool of the

higher power that power will take over your affairs along with the fruits of your actions. You are no

longer affected by them and the work goes on unhampered. Whether you recognize the power or

not, the scheme of things does not alter. The need is only for a change of outlook.

The mind must be raisedTo understand right the teachings of Masters like Krishna, Buddha, Sai Baba and others the

consciousness must be raised beyond the accepted teachings. The consciousness must be

attached to the Master, and through the Master to the ultimate, and then allowed to descend.

Thus will emerge the unified teachings of the Great ones in place of the diverse schools of

thought that have arisen out of the conflicting interpretations of their teachings by the limited

human minds that would fain annihilate these teachings.

If the teachings persist in spite of the conflicts, it is because they are based upon truth. But the

mind can understand them only when it is raised up to the Master. This is needed not only in

religion, but in all knowledge, metaphysical or physical, perceptible or imperceptible,

- H. H. Upasani Maharaj

Worship of SaiBabaBy Mrs. Usha Ranganathan

O! My mind! Worship Sai Baba, the Almighty and repeat day and night. The great Mantram

Vishnu Sahasra Namam that you have received from Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji.

When you lie down think that you are meditating on Him. When you eat, think that you are

offering food to Him. With great joy, I proclaim: "Sai Baba dwells in all bodies. When you walk in

the day, think that you are going round Sai Baba."

The Power of SaintlinessBy H.H. Swami Rajeswarananda

Saintliness is the sunshine of life. Saintly conduct excels in all names and methods. It is the most

perfect conduct conceivable in any environment. It is a commentary on the excellence of non-

resistance, charity, love and truth.

Saints are authors of goodness and greatness by their radiant example. They are the torch-

bearers and clearers of the human weakness and spiritual darkness.

Saintliness is in short, a blessed mystical illumination of our own divine nature, unaffected by all

sorts of chaotic conditions, the husks of life.

Sarveshwara of ShirdiHindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isayee Sab ko Sadguru is our Sat Sai.

Bhagawan is only one

And our Sai is second to none

Sai is Eesa (Iswar), His ways are manyFor us to choose means any

See Him in every soul

The pinnacle of one's soul

Water and stones or what you will what is that He does not fill Lo! God is present everywhere. So,

see our Sai in water & stone. Stone, a pedestal of His seat. A stone grinded evil to people. A

stone ever fives and breathes. You inhale Sai in every breath. Sai is indispensable like water.

Water fuelled the earthen lamps. Lamps radiated Sai Jyothi. Sai jyothi dispels mental darkness.

Sing, shed tears on His deeds & Mahima till thy stony heart does melt Chant for ever Vishnu

Sahasranama when His presence will be ever felt.

- Sai Premi

Unfailing Influence of SwamijiBy O. K. Varada Rao

"A very rich young man becomes ill, and then to get rid of his disease he begins to give to the

poor. That is good, but it is not religion yet, not spiritual religion. It is all on the material plane.

What is material and what is not? When the world is the end and God the means to attain that

end that is material. When God is the end and the world is only the means to attain that end,

spirituality has begun."

- Swami Vivekananda

It was in 1946 that we had drawn out an elaborate plan for celebrating Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi

anniversary on a grand scale at All India Sai Samaj, Madras. My intimate association with H.H.

Sri Narasimha Swamiji had made me confident that somehow we would get the required money

for the celebrations, as an unsuspecting faith in Lord Sainath to solve our problem had developed

in me. One morning, Swamiji asked me; "O.K, V. you are yet to start your fund campaign for the

Dasara festival, more so with so much costly program to go through." This query did not result

from the Dasara celebration angle but as to how to meet the estimate of Rs. 10,000.

My childlike answer amused Sri Narasimha Swamiji: "Swamiji, Sai has suggested the

program. May be it is costly from our angle but He has a magnetic wand to drag money from

willing Sai-devotees. I am awaiting His direction as to whom to approach." Swamiji laughed and

said: "O.K.V" Thou art a perfect bag of Saism." Needless to mention that Sainath provoked Sri

Narasimha Swamiji to query this as the events in the evening proved.

Myself and our Joint Secretary, Mr. Rajagopal, went to the Madras Central Station to bid farewell

to a common friend of ours. There we heard a heated argument between the Ticket Examiner

and a well-dressed affluent lady. I approached her and offered our services. She said: "Yes. I am

going to Bangalore with a first class ticket. This young man wants me to get the luggage weighed,

produce the receipt and then get into the compartment. The main problem is that there is no time

left and the train is about to start". I requested the Ticket Examiner to stop the train for five

minutes more and meanwhile we would get the luggage weighed and bring the receipt and the

lady can immediately get into the compartment. The Ticket Examiner agreed to our suggestion

and the lady's problem was also solved. She was very happy and enquired us: "who are you?"

It must be Sai Maharaj who made me say: "We are Secretaries of All India Sai Samaj, Madras."

She was extremely moved and said: "Now I know why both of you helped me. You are my Sai-

men. Can I do anything for All India Sai Samaj? | am from the Royal family of Mysore." Most

spontaneously I told her about our Dasara festival and requested her for a small donation. As the

train was about to start she told us that she would be sending us a Bank draft for Rs. 1,000/-in the

name of the Samaj, as soon as she went back to Mysore.

We saw Lord Sainath's hand right from Sri Narasimha Swamiji's query to the promise of Rs.

1,000/- from the Mysore princess to make us feel that Sainath knows our needs and accordingly

acts.

My Beloved Guru

Mother turns HundredBy V. S. Kuber

Holy Mother Shivamma Mathaji, who had the rare privilege of having Sai Baba's 'darshan' in

1918, and who stays in her humble Sai Ashram in Madiwala in the outskirts of Bangalore,

completed 100 years in this birth on May 1990. A special function was arranged with Swami

Purushothamananda (of Ramakrishna Mutt, Bangalore) and H.H. Hasan Mathaji as Chief guests

and noted Kannada author, 87-year old Mr. T. S. Shama Rao presided over the meeting. The

whole program had enchanting bhajans and Sai devotees lined up in hundreds to receive

Mother's blessings. Over a thousand partook 'Maha-prasadam' in the afternoon. We pray to Sai

Baba to bestow many more years of life on Shivamma Mathaji to guide us to Ultimate Reality.

Die and re-exist, for until this is accomplished, thou art but a troubled guest upon an earth of

gloom.

- Goethe— By Mrs. Mani Sahukar"He alone is religious, he alone is happy and he alone is wealthy who is sincere in himself, bears

no malice, exploits no one, and always acts with a pure mind."

Round about 1942, I was going through a difficult period of my life and was feeling unhappy and

frustrated. Though I was God fearing, I was not particularly religious and knew nothing about

saints and had not even heard about Sai Baba. Mentally and spiritually, therefore, I was not ripe

for the Master's grace, and yet God fulfills Himself in strange ways. A neighbor of ours brought Sri

H. H. Narasimha Swamiji to our house.. He was a holy man, a true Sadhu and one of the most

distinguished apostles of Sai Baba.

Sri Narasimha Swamiji at once sensed that all was not well with me; indeed he seemed to have

come prepared, through some strange psychic perception to meet me and help me. Taking me

aside, he told me gently not to worry and said: "Why don't you seek refuge in Sai Baba?" asked:

"Who is Sai Baba?" Whereupon Sri Swamiji put in my hand a pocket of books written by himself

about Sai Baba. "Read these," he said, and while blessing me, also added, "There is a lovely

picture of Sai Baba in this packet for you". Sri Narasimha Swamiji really seemed to have come

prepared to lead a troubled soul to his Master!

I confess that though I was touched by Sri Swamiji's kindness, his advice and gift made no

immediate impression on me. I put away the whole packet without even opening it, and persisted

in my misery. Here, my husband was made an instrument to draw me to the spiritual path. For my

husband opened the packet and after reading one of Sri Swamiji's books and seeing Baba's

radiant picture, he said to me "Sai Baba seems to be a great saint, why don't you read these

books, they might help you." But I remained unaffected.

After a few days, however, I began to feel contrite, and just to please my husband, I took out

Baba's picture from the packet, framed it and put it on a table in front of our beds. This simple and

penitent gesture started the miracle of my conversion. For, the very next day in the afternoon as I

lay sleeping on my bed in front of the picture, so casually placed there by me, I was blessed with

a lovely visitation. It was in fact a vision.

Magic touch

I was dozing, when suddenly Sai Baba's picture lit up with a translucent glow, his face broke into

a tender smile, and his hand came out of the frame, as it were, while with his forefinger Baba

beckoned to me. Still in the dream, I saw myself jump out of the bed and rush towards Baba's

photograph. Sai Baba then placed his hand on my head in blessing. I actually felt the ecstasy of

his touch and woke up with a start. I was thrilled! This was indeed an initiation. Sai Baba's grace

had penetrated to my innermost being at last, and I knew I was saved. I subsequently

remembered how one of Baba's compassionate sayings applied in this case: "I seek out my

Bhaktas from long distances, under many pleas and draw them to me."

From the very hour the vision was bestowed on me, my life changed, as I rose out of my apathy,

and struggled to meet the Light that shone upon me through the Guru's radiant initiation. My

chance meeting with Sri Narasimha Swamiji did pave my way for a spiritual sadhana, Years later,

Sri Swamiji himself subtly pushed me over to his successor. My unfathomable hankering for a

living embodiment of the Guru was also fulfilled when I stood in Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji's

presence. Sri Swamiji appeared to recognize me, and welcomed me like a long lost child on the

very first day of our meeting, and I too intuitively felt the complete identification of Sri Radha-

krishna Swamiji with Sai Baba and Sri Narasimha Swamiji.

Sai Baba is the most approachable God. Men and women could go to Him at anytime with any

problem. No yearning of the human heart is too insignificant for this compassionate Avatar. His

heart, even now, burns for the woes and miseries of the ordinary householder. It is but natural

that with such an amazing outpouring of love Sai Baba should have favored the way of devotion

as the most important spiritual path.

It belongs to the Gods to want nothing, to Godlike men to want, as little as possible.

- Antisthenes

Sai Baba EverywhereBy K. N. Narayan Swamy

"To separate the true from the false in everything, whatever its nature may be, that is the part of a

wise understanding."

- St. ThiruvalluvarOnce in the local bazar, I found attractive calendars of Sai Baba with a caption 'APKA

RAKSHAK'. I purchased 10 copies for distribution of which I retained one for keeping in the pooja

room.

Somehow Sai Baba prompted me to get this photograph framed. I was in a dilemma as it was a

large one and would pinch my purse considerably. One day I took it to a photo-frame shop near

our home and I was told that it would cost an amount ranging from Rs. 50/- to Rs 60/- depending

upon the frame, glass etc., I chose a particular frame and settled for Rs. 45/-.

Two or three days later I went to the frame shop to collect the photograph. The owner had gone

out and his brother was in the shop doing some woodcraft. During our conversation, I offered him

to give a few pieces of a wooden Almirah lying useless in our house. He was delighted at this

unsolicited offer and immediately we went to our house to see this. He agreed to take it and

instead of money, I suggested to him to give me a rebate on the frame as barter. He said that he

would accept whatever I give him. He was quite happy when I offered him a tender.

When he had come to our house, I told him about my Tape recorder. It was giving me frequent

trouble and had deprived me of listening to Sai bhajans. I had an idea to dispose this set and buy

a new one. This friend told me that he would arrange for this also as he knows a shop-keeper

who buys second hand tape-recorders. Accordingly he sent a man the very next day. I could

strike a deal at a reasonable price and in the same evening, brought home a brand new tape

recorder.

We strongly believe in Sai Baba's hand in every moment of our life. With deep faith and

wholehearted devotion one can achieve abundant blessings of Sai Maharaj - 'I am there where

there is devotion.'

Pray for LightBy M. Rama Rao

"Men shall see the earth filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the

sea."

Bible (Hab2: 14)

There is only one thing which pierces the darkness - that is light. Therefore pray for light -

understanding.

There is no night as dark as the night of the soul - when the courage in the heart fails and doubts

overwhelm the mind.

Yet it is true that when the night is darkest the stars are most brilliant. And it is only at night that

the heavenly bodies may be discovered. They are always there, but we see them only against

darkness.

Remember this when you have sorrow or failure or misery of any kind. There are stars of the

mind - great truths which have guided other men through the night. They can and will guide you.

On the May 7, 1990, my third daughter - in - law had prolonged delivery pains. Ultimately she

delivered a daughter after a surgical operation. As the newborn was premature, it was kept in the

incubator at St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore. In spite of the best of medical

attention, the newborn baby breathed her last 20 hours after it was born. Our whole family was in

grief but it is only Sai Baba who consoled us.

In the midst of your darkness, direct your mind, force it, and compel it to think of the power of Sai

Baba and Radhakrishna Swamiji in you and the temporary nature of all distress. Affirm that you

are moving forward with the infinite wisdom of Sai Baba and empowered by the grace of

Radhakrishna Swamiji. Don't agree with the darkness. Refuse to let yourself be buried. Demand

the light and the light will come. The star in the east did not rise only once in history. It rises

forever and forever - wherever and when ever anyone prays through the night "until the day

drawn and the day-star arises in your heart."

"And I will give him the morning star." (Rev. 2:28).

All is WellBy G. K. Bhardwaj

"Make your inner self a temple of God. Make it a temple of the mystic fife of the universe. Then

you are king of everything, and not attached to anything."

- Paramahamsa YoganandaWhen we recite 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' in front of Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, we

will be blessed that 'all is well" and the known outward facts of life point to this being so. We are

aware of the blessings we get and the outward facts of life would be favorable in every way to our

desires and plans. Then we say — 'all is well.' But there is a deep interior way of knowing that all

is well that has nothing whatsoever to do with outward facts and it is this deep interior knowing

that is the real thing.

There are moments in life when we come so close as if we have totally merged in Sai Baba that

we are filled with the awareness of the goodness of God. At such a time we have no desire to

make any plans or to do anything specific in the outward world. But we are very vividly aware that

all is well. We become absolutely certain that the next step will be the right one and that ft-will

occur to us at the right moment in the right way. At such times we evoke from other Sai-bandhus

a great response and friendship. They are eager to be of service to us and the reason is clear.

When the soul is conscious of Sai Baba's goodness then that goodness is flowing through a life,

and it is precisely this goodness that everybody else is seeking all the time — then they are very

glad to see evidence of it and are usually ready to help it.

Once it so happened that I had a bad time which shook my faith in Sai Baba. But the Almighty Sai

soon reminded me by a letter from a Sai-brother 2000 KM away. He had sent me a photo of Sai

Baba with the caption;

IF YOU DISCARD ME, I WILL NOT,I WILL TAKE YOU IN MY FOLD.

Two days after this H.H. Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Dwaraka Badrikashram Sri Sri

Vidyanarayana Thirtha came to Madras and when I met him, he asked me to have steadfast faith

in Sai Baba. Very next day I was requested to preside over Sri Narasimha Swamiji memorial

oration function conducted by Prof. Nanjunda Rao Education Trust, wherein I was asked to give a

lecture on Sai Baba.

This inward knowledge of the goodness of Sai Baba can give us peace and confidence even

when outward things may seem to be in a state of chaos. For we may know beyond any doubt

whatsoever that when we are inwardly conscious of the grace of Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji — in that very moment a divine adjustment is taking place.

Truthful Living and MiraclesBy T. A. Ram Nathen

"Once you are in touch with that Power, all the divine forces of nature will wait on you."

- Ramakrishna ParamahamsaTruthful living hastens miracles. That is to say 'whatever you utter' simply happens. Shirdi Sai

Baba said in Shirdi and they happened elsewhere without fail. He had also acknowledged it when

he said: "I say here, they happen there."

The eldest noble Pandava Yudhishtira was nicknamed 'Dharmaputra' as a compliment to his

truthful living and exemplary conduct. Yet, in the horrendous 'Kurukshetra' war, his chariot which

was plying above the ground level had dropped to the ground no sooner he had uttered a lie that

'Aswathama' had expired.

As long as he was truthful, miracles overtook him. As soon as he uttered a lie, obstacles dogged

him.

Swamiji Rings the BellBy G. Viswanatham Chetty

"There is no higher virtue than charity. The lowest man is he whose hand draws in, receiving. And

he is the highest man whose hand goes out in giving. The hand was made to give always"

- Swami VivekanandaMan on earth is but a puny creature struggling under a host of several limitations. Everywhere he

experiences pain, frustration, misery and wretchedness. On the other hand he knows that there is

the grand cosmic experience that is full of perfection, infinite knowledge and light transcendental.

The mortal individual is the rightful heir to this grand cosmic experience. But how to attain, tied up

as he is by countless bonds, defects and imperfections? His Holiness Sri Narasimha Swamiji and

His Holiness Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji are with us to provide answers to this.

In July 1946, I was transferred from Vellore to Madras as Joint Registrar of Co-operative

Societies. This stint provided me a unique opportunity to be with two saintly souls -Sri Narasimha

Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, as I made it a practice to drop in at All India Sai Samaj

daily in the evenings on my return home from the office. Once I was prompted to gift a silver bell

with Maruthi on the top to Sri Narasimha Swamiji. I informed Swamiji and placed an order with

M/s Vammudiar Jewelers.

On receipt of the bell, I informed Sri Narasimha Swamiji. He asked me to hand it over to him the

next morning as he had planned a trip to Shirdi. So I collected the parcel from the Jewelers in the

evening and placed it safely in the wardrobe. Next day, as usual after breakfast, I dressed up to

go to office. My office box and water jug were being taken down to be put into my car by a peon.

While going round the stairs, I heard a bell ringing. It was not the telephone bell. But what was it?

Ringing without stopping? I stopped and looked up. It dawned on me that I had forgotten to take

the parcel to be handed over to Sri Narasimha Swamiji.

Did the bell jump out of the parcel and the wardrobe and start ringing the alarm without stopping?

Was it not the handiwork of both Sai Baba and Sri Narasimha Swamiji? My offering to Sai Baba

could not be left behind. Hence to remind me, the alarm was triggered off by divine intervention.

May the Guru within us lift the veil of ignorance and bestow upon us the light of knowledge. May

the blessings of H.H. Sri Narasimha Swamiji and H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji be our support

and inspiration in the quest for truth?

Love and DevotionBy H. H. Meher Baba

Love burns the lover

Devotion bums the Beloved

Love seeks happiness for the Beloved

Devotion seeks for blessings from the Beloved

Love seeks to shoulder the burdens of the Beloved

Devotion throws the burden on the Beloved

Love gives

Devotion asks

Love is silent and sublime, devoid of outward expressions

Devotion expresses itself outwardly Love does not require the presence of the Beloved in order to

love

Devotion demands the presence of the Beloved to express affection

"The man who knows more than I do is my father. He who knows less is my son, and the man

who knows as much as I know is my brother."

— PYTHOGORAS (Greek Philosopher)

A Garland of LoveBy Anil K. Rasal

"He prayed well who love the well, both man and bird and beast."

He moved in life, and gently he moved out of it — back to his unseen Home. As a lamp is

suddenly extinguished, so was his passing on! Till the last he continued to shed the radiance of

love. The life of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji is a silent dedicated prayer at the lotus feet of Sai

Baba. He was fully commanding the treasure of all powers but did not display them openly or

abused them, I had met Swamiji for the first time in 1976 or so at Shirdi but an eternally

memorable contact was in 1979 at Sai-brother, G. R. Inamdar's residence at Bombay.

Myself and my wife, Chi. Sow. Sunanda sat cross legged on the floor of the drawing room.

Swamiji entered and beckoned us to take the chair. We could not, as we were lucky to get his

'darshan' and see his lotus feet. He started his conversation with one apt utterance" "If one says

HARI — HARI, Hari comes in the heart and worry goes". This itself filled me like a glove for he

correctly assessed the state of my mind and prescribed a suitable remedy. I told him that my

'Namasmarana' was not ceaseless but intermittent. Then the asked my 'first name' and called me

near his feet. He gave me three pats on my back. And lo, there resumed the ceaseless pouring of

'Namasmarana' on the deity that dwells in my heart. It was automatic and effortless remembrance

of Sai Baba.

Swamiji spoke to us very kindly in silken voice, which soothed us and gave us handfuls of udhi

packets and chocolates with the remark that this was 'Shirdi prasad'. We had not mentioned

anything about children. I requested him to bless our home and he readily agreed. Swamiji kept

up his word of visiting our house in his own inimitable style. On Sunday the 13th January 1980,

while I was in meditation at my flat in Bombay, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji appeared to me in full

form. He was shaking and showed signs of great struggle. He said: "I am going, but before I go, I

have come to see you." And the very next day he had cast off his mortal coil at Bangalore. Before

he took leave of this transient world to merge in Sai Baba, he kept his word by a visit in my

meditation.

The knowledge of the selfThe knowledge of the 'Self is the real knowledge; all other kinds of knowledge are mere

semblance of knowledge, as they do not attempt to find out the essence of reality which is the

Self.

He lives the best life who is always studying to improve himself.

"—Xenophon

Sai Love Personified"Work is worship" which I firmly believe and this faith can neither change nor deceive. For 'love' in

reality is more than a hardship, 'Cause am always, in love with my workmanship. "Life is truth"

that's what I sincerely believe, and this concept is the only way to reprieve, for 'love' in routine is

not a thing to idolize, when in-factual, life is handsome to visualize.

"Music vaporizes sadness" which I strongly believe,

And this notion cannot but rebounce and retrieve,

For 'love' in entity can become rhythmical,

When days, months, years, pass in moods unmusical.

"Sai love works wonders" that's what I truly believe

And this miracle is full of experiences we achieve,

For 'love' in devotion cannot be fathomed.

When Sai love kindles, Sai spirituality in enlightened.

- Ms. Neelam Sangukar.

Triangle of love

True love can be regarded as a triangle.

The first angle is: love knows no bargain. So when a man is praying to God, 'give me this, and

give me that,' it is not love. How can it be? 'I give you my little prayer, and you give me something

in return;' that is mere shop keeping.

The second angle is: love knows no fear. So long as god is regarded as is warder or a punisher,

there can be no love for him.

The third angle is the apex, is: love is always the highest ideal. When we have reached the

point where we can worship the ideal as the ideal, all arguments and doubts have vanished

forever. The Ideal can never escape, because it is part of our own nature.

- Swami Vivekananda

Swamiji's Birthday CelebrationsBy S. Shyama Rao

Man breathes in and out and thus life is sustained. He goes to sleep for a certain period of time,

when his life actively apparently comes to an end - it disappears temporarily. In the morning, on

his awakening, his soul actually comes forth again and he reappears to active life.

The same law governs earth. The cosmic drama life force which permeates all and is responsible

for all living things and beings, at a certain period of time in the year, retires into the earth for rest.

It disappears from the face of the earth, when all vegetation comes to a standstill. At a certain

other time of the year, this divine life force within the earth comes forth again and manifests in the

magnificent growth of plants and the rejuvenation of nature.

This symbolism veils a great cosmic truth. Our Radhakrishna Swamiji is being born again on

earth this year on the 17th April 1990 (Chitrai Sapthami). After 'Abhishek' to Sai Baba and

Swamiji, 'Vishnu Sahasra Nama Homam' was conducted by Sri D.V. Krishna Murthy and others.

After ‘Poornahuthi’ over 1500 persons partook 'Maha prasadam'. As Poornahuthi' for the Homam

was being done, we could feel the 'Saipadananda Consciousness' taking birth in our hearts. This

is the greatest gift and the greatest reward to us from Sai Baba. As this great event was taking

place, we could feel the union of our consciousness with that of Radhakrishna Swamiji. May this

Saipadananda Consciousness be born in the hearts of all of you and yours. May the blessings,

the grace and the peace of Sai Baba, Narasimha Swamiji and Radhakrishna Swamiji be with you

all. In the evening there was an illuminating discourse on 'Sharanagati' by Asthana Vidwan

Sampath Kumara Bhattacharya.

Earlier, we celebrated the 37th Anniversary of the Centre on the March 27, 1990 and Sri Rama

Navami / Sri Sai Baba's Birthday on April 3, 1990. Abhisheka, Bhajan, Arathi marked the lively

programmes. In addition, we had devotional music concert by Smt. Savithri Ranganathan and

party on April 5, 1990.

Looking Beyond One CroreBY K. S. Nagaraja Rao (Puttanna)

"Let work be ever on your hands, with “Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai” always on your lips for

your deliverance surely from mundane things"

We are happy to record here that on May 10, 1990, Sai Maharaj blessed us to complete more

than one crore Likhit japa, 'Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai'. Over 400 Sai bandhus are participating

in this Yagna and as on June, 1990, the total figure has crossed one crore fifteen lakhs (at the

rate of 10-15 lakhs a month). To mark this auspicious occasion, we had a two hour Akhanda

Japam' of 'Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai' on the May 17, 1990, in which hundreds of Sai devotees

took part.

We are also happy to record here that Sai Baba has inspired over 400 devotees to participate in

the Yagna and the following devotees have offered more than two lakhs Likhit japa "at the holy

feet of Sai Maharaj:—1. Smt. Ramu Gowramma, 2. Shri D. R. Nagaraja Rao, 3. Shri A. C.

Varadarajan 4. Dr. Dr. Jyothsna Ben.

Sai Baba has blessed them with a copy each of Sai Satcharitra (two in Kannada and one each in

Tamil and Hindi) as ‘prasad’. There are 30 to 40 other Sai devotees who have so far completed

one lakh Likhit japa each and are soon to achieve the two — lakh mark.

The enthusiasm and interest evinced by Sai devotees are beyond the power of

expression. They are putting the two-pice 'dakshina' — Shradda and Saburi — into

practice. The vibrations of Mahatharaka Mantra ‘Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai’ have filled the

Sai Spiritual Centre with its divine fragrance. Even a baby in the arms clasps while

singing the Taraka mantra, school children enter Sri Sai Spiritual Centre Chanting: 'Om Sai Sri

Sai Jaya Jaya Sai. Every devotee — material of caste, creed, age and state of health-gets inspire

with devotion to chant 'Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai'.

May Sai bless all of us to take shelter under the eve inspiring shade of his 'Kalpa Vriksha'.

"To resort to Mammon, is to acquire the boot-power of physical mite To resort to 'OM SAI SRI SAI

JAYA JAYA SAI' is to acquire the root-power of soul-mite."

Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in their place.

- AnonHe who laughs lasts.

- Hugh W. Phillips

Jubilee ConventionBy D.V.L.N. Murthy

'Sai - brotherhood is thicker than Blood - brotherhood"

- AnonymousI am grateful to Sai Baba and Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji for enabling

me to attend the 25th All India Sai Devotees' Convention held at Madras on June 8, 9 and 10,

1990 This was a unique convention as it marked the silver jubilee of the All India Sai Devotees'

Conventions started by H. H. Sri Narasimha Swamiji way back in 1950 and also the Golden

Jubilee year of publication of SAI SUDHA magazine which was started by Sri Narasimha Swamiji

in 1940 for Sai propagation - four years after he obtained the treasure of Sai Baba's grace in

1936.

About 300 devotees from all parts of India attended this Convention. A good number of devotees

from our Centre led by our President, Shri Bhaskara Rao actively participated in this Convention.

On June 8th morning, delegates performed special 'Abhishek' and Archana to Sai Maharaj for

invoking His blessings. After a 'Nagar Sankirtan' at 5 p.m. in the streets of Mylapore, Mrs. Shanta

Rege (daughter of Rege Maharaj) lit the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of the Conven-

tion. Mr. Justice N. Krishna Swamy Reddy presided over the function. Bhajans and Sankirtan

marked the convention throughout.

The speakers at this convention appreciated the great strides made by Sri Sai movement

and stressed that Sai bhakti is bringing about Universal Brotherhood and paid tributes to the

pioneering efforts made by Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji in this

regard. The Open session on 'Satsang' and 'Devotees' Experiences’ were held on 9 th and

10th June 1990, under the speaker ship of Sri C. V, Bhaskara Rao. Everyone was appreciative of

the purpose of such conventions as devotees from different parts of the country and the

resultant satsang was of immense value adding to the development of Sai Bhakti and Sai

Prachar. They highlighted the need of such satsang and how Sri Narasimha Swamiji who started

Conventions and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji stove hard' to build Sai-brotherhood on love and

service.

At the end of the convention, the special Golden Jubblle year Souvenir of SAI SUDHA was

released by Kulapathi Joshi. The delegates moved the following resolutions:-

a) To undertake social service activities in addition to religious activities (such as Balavihars,

medical aid etc.)

b) In view of the need to have trained pracharaks. All India Sai Samaj and other Sai-institutions

will explore the possibility of training Sai-pracharaks whose services] can be utilized by all.

The convention concluded with homage to Sri Narasimha Swamiji for his pioneering efforts in

bringing to light the precious jewel of *Sai Baba for the welfare of humanity and for ushering in a

society based on respect to all religions and the real significance of 'Satsang.'

We also appreciate the untiring efforts of Shri T. Keshava Rao Co-coordinator of the Convention,

Shri R. S. Ramakrishnan and Shri M. Vasudevan and a host of others in making this convention a

grand success.

The Wasp at the WindowMany years ago, I heard His Holiness Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji tell the story of a

young prince whose new Nurse was instructed to give the little boy anything he wanted, denies

him nothing.

"This is your future king" the Royal Mother told the Nurse, you are to obey him, not command

him."

For a few hours, things went smoothly. Then suddenly there was an agonized wail from the

nursery, and the nurse was immediately summoned.

"Did I not tell you" the Queen demanded, "that His Highness was to have anything he wanted?"

"I did not forget, your Majesty", the Nurse said, was a wasp at the window and he wanted it."

‘There’

"Like the mountaineer using his rope to ascend the summit take the 'Sound' of Vishnu - Sahasra -

Namam to ascend the Sai-Summit

- T. A. Ram Nathan

Lead a Worthy LifeTo the other Shore

Time is fleeting and every minute spent is precious and cannot be regained. Time lost is lost for

ever. So, let us hasten to continue our activities with the divine prayers, resting the mind and

faculty with perfect case on the benign form of our Ishta or Kula Devatas, Guru Maharaj such as

Shri Sainath, H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and the like, who will be able to rouse our Kundalini

and other shakthis to go on to higher reaches, in the realms of equanimity, magnanimity,

dharmam with elastic activity etc.

Births and deaths are inevitable to all; one can lead a virtuous, active life. He has got his family to

attend to along with certain prescribed duties which are incumbent on him to follow and lead a

worthy life, as ordained by God with full activity and alertness, without selfishness, special

attachment, treating all things alike with samatva bhavana; as enjoined in the Shasthras and laid

down by the experienced Mahans for our benefit like the renowned Bhagavad Gita.

- V. RajagopaLa Iyer

Dr. Gajanan DabholkarIn the death of Dr. Gajanan Dabholkar, son of Hemadpant (author of Sai Satcharitra) on 2nd

March 1990 at a ripe age of 87 years, we have lost a great man who had the physical contact of

Lord Sainath. At the age of 14 years in 1916, he had gone to Shirdi for the first time along with his

father. Sai Baba had presented him a packet of udhi which he had preserved it till the end. He

was also blessed with an idol of Sai Baba, which is being worshipped even today at his Bandra

residence. He was a Medical Doctor by profession and his compassion and love were stretched

out to all Sai-bandhus. Throughout the country and naturally his passing away caused a universal

grief and evoked a responsive chord in every heart. Together with our Radhakrishna Swamiji, he

had served as a Trustee of Shirdi Sansthan. He suffered two paralytic attacks-once in 1971 and

again in 1988. On both the occasions he recovered miraculously by Sai grace. But a fracture of

the pelvis sustained by him in late 1989 took him to the lotus feet of Sai Baba on 2nd March

1990.

Mr. G V.R. NaiduA veteran devotee at Secunderabad, Mr. Naidu passed away on the 9th March 1990 at a ripe age

of 92 years. He was actively involved in Sai-Prachar work along with Narasimha Swamiji and

Radhakrishna Swamiji and till the last breath; he was an active and dynamic Sai-worker. The

small shrine he had built in the Market Road has been a place for solace to many. Books on Sai

Baba, rings, lockets were always available with him. His advices on Sai-worship and guidance on

Sai-marg is incomparable, it is our sincere and solemn prayer that the piety, loving kindness and

the other sublime ideals that were exemplified in the life of Mr. Naidu be followed by all Sai-

bandhus. May Sai Baba rest his soul in peace.

Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi - The Wonder MakerOh Bhagavan Sai of sacred Shirdi!

Of all the wonders Thou fill with the minds of Thy devotees.

Remarkable are those by which Thou lift souls to heights unsurpassed

And pall it does not recollection in repetition by hearts filled with Thy Image,

Shama and Nana Nimonkar are examples such to enlighten and edify both

In the way Thou bestowed on them Thy light and Thy love. The simple soul Shama was made by

Thee a scholar of "Vishnu Sahasranamam'

How but by a few sweet words of Thine simply extolling the greatness of the Text,

Thus Thou changed the ignorant to shine with both knowledge and wisdom

Even to expound the text to no less than Narke educated high though he was.

Thou asked Nana Nimonkar to read and understand "Jnaneswari"

Educated Nimonkar was unlike Thy favorite Shama

But confessed he, his ignorance of Sanskrit in which was embodied the book,

However one word came from Thee that Masudi Ayi will teach he

The language to read and understand the master-piece.

So like Shama, with Thy blessing master did he the holy piece To the extent of its exposition to

no less than Dixit Thy devotee par excellence and what more a scholar himself was he.

Here it was that Thou applied the brakes on Nimonkar Not to get puffed or inflated about his

learning or its expounding

Sought not of Thee Shama or Nimonkar their thirst for

"Vishnu Sahasranama" or "Jnaneswari" put blessed them thou unsolicited purely out of love for

them, There are seekers of both knowledge and wisdom of Thee

Oh Jewel of Shirdi! Bless these with Thy grace as Thou blessed Nimonkar and Shama

Oh Lord of sacred Shirdi I take these supplicants under Thy sheltering wings

So that fulfilled May they feel both in their minds and hearts.

Sai Ram!

Sai Ram!

Sai Ram!

C. R. NARAYANAN.

Let me sing, my body is lost,

My sense is lost, my mind is lost;

Let me sing, I lost my “I” and gained 'SIVAM' thereby.

- St. Manickavasagar