PRAYER(At Dwaraka)

May the wicked turn good;

May the good attain peace;

May the peaceful be freed from all bondage, and

May the liberated redeem others;

May everybody be happy;

May everybody be freed from disease;

May everybody have good luck;

May none fall on evil days;

May everybody surmount difficulties;

May everybody have good fortune;

May everybody realise his ambitions,

May everybody rejoice every where.

- Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji.

SAIPADANANDAA ThoughtYour life is in your hands. Do not fritter it away in pursuits of momentary value.

Seek the Eternal. Realize the Eternal. This is your goal. Do not forget it.

- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

Contents1. Editorial 2. Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder? 3. Disciplines of Devotion 4. Power of Guru 5. Greatness of Vishnu Sahasra Nama 6. Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji 7. The Source of Inspiration 8. Unusual Devotee takes to Sahasranamam

9. Portraits of Swamiji’s Installed 10.19th Aradhana of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji 11.Saipadananda's Sayings : Booklet Released 12.Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood Get-Together 13.Exciting Experience of an Author 14.Twentieth year of Mahasamadhi of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji 15.Sri Sivanesan Swamiji's Third Mahasamadhi 16.To the other shore

EditorialLasting Happiness

We have heard the expression ‘climbing the ladder of success’ so frequently that

its importance is lost in its triteness and simplicity. We know that a ladder is

nothing but a tool - an instrument to accomplish something or reach something.

Likewise, our life or human existence is a tool for achieving goals.

Let us see how revealing and symbolic the ladder is. First a ladder is designed

for vertical and not horizontal use. It is to be utilized for an upward climb. A

ladder cannot be climbed except by using one rung at a time. Just as people do

not sprint to success but follow step by step, a ladder offers a progressive

means. We use each step to reach greater heights. If we try to skip a rung,

disaster is imminent. No shortcuts or undue haste can give solid progress.

Perhaps the most visible similarity between human life and a ladder is that it

requires effort to ascend. Not everyone is willing to pay the price of effort and

sacrifice. In his work, 'Life of Sai Baba', Sri Narasimha Swamiji emphasizes the

point on effort. He says: "What is that one cannot achieve through this human

body? If one strives regularly one can accomplish anything. The sturdy stones

around a well are cut gradually by a soft rope that rubs against it while drawing

water. Likewise one who regularly endeavors to rid himself of his baser instincts

becomes free of them." Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji opined that constant recitation

of 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam' inspires a devotee to perform righteous, moral action

and to battle with his baser instincts. Worldly indulgence dulls the individual.

If a ladder is placed on uneven ground the risk of falling or disaster is great.

Neglect and misuse also court failure. Similarly, one can never hope to achieve

lasting success or happiness if human existence is based on immoral and non-

spiritual grounds. The basic ingredients of patience, effort, sincerity, morality and

spirituality form the core in attaining the stratosphere of happiness, success and

fulfillment.

Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder?By Sri Narasimha Swamiji

Worth LivingBelieve that life is worth living-and you will see that it is so.

- J. P. Vaswani

All people are informed of Sai Baba's glorious nature and deeds, his wonderful

help in matters of this world and beyond, some exclaim, "Why do you ask me to

give up my old loyalties to my Ishta Devata Rama and Krishna and my guru with

his guru mantra and sadhanas ?" Some even go further and condemn what they

call the creation of a new cult with a new god through "violent methods of

propaganda and proselytism so foreign to the satvic ideals of "Hinduism." Let us

pause to analyze and examine each of these objections.

The first sets of objectors are using leading or misleading questions. "Have you

left off beating your mother? Answer yes or no", if put to a witness who has not

admitted that he ever beat his mother, is usually quoted as an example of this

objectionable question. The short answer to this set of questioners is that neither

Baba, nor any true devotee of his ever asks people to give up their loyalties to

their gods, gurus or guru sampradayas etc. but in spite of this declaration, these

objectors often repeat their question, though some are satisfied when the

following facts are narrated to them.

Baba did not wish Hindus to give up their religion, to embrace Islam or

Christianity. Once a Hindu recently converted to Islam was brought to Baba who

asked him then, "Have you given up the father that begot you and taken another

father?"

Baba first dissuaded Hindus, who ran up to worship him and directed them to go

back and worship the stone gods, which their fathers worshipped and allowed

them finally to worship him in addition to and not in substitution of their old gods.

When a man approached Baba with the fear tucking at his heart that he was

doing gurudroham to his former guru in approaching a new guru, Baba sent him

away. Where another approached him with the same fear, Baba expressly told

him that one's previous gurus and guru mantra and guru sampradaya etc.,

should not be given up, however little their apparent merit and however great the

merits of other gurus might be or seem.

To a third man, who had already obtained gurumantram from his guru and yet

light-heartedly applied to Baba to make himself the guru, Baba's answer was that

no guru was necessary and all that the man had to do was to dive within him and

see himself-Adwaitic line being evidently that man's hereditary or chosen marga.

Baba generally added the assurance that by intensifying one's own guru, be that

guru even a mere potsherd, one is sure to achieve one's objects, including even

moksha.

If one had no other pre-existing loyalties and came to Baba to treat him as one's

Guru-God and his name as the sacred guru mantra, Baba allowed and even

encouraged it. To such people, Baba even touched his own pictures and

presented or returned the same for worship, and assured people that he resided

in the picture thus worshipped, and even gave proofs of such residence. Baba,

however, never gave any picture or other object to Moslems or Christians that

had a strong aversion to the worship of objects. Baba never disturbed the faith of

people in their own scriptures.

Building or creation is a complex process, and involves the replacing of old forms

by new ones. Though the old order change giving place to the new, in god's plan,

several people stick to their old forms and these are called superstitions. But

instead of applying opprobrious epithets to these, it is better to allay their fears by

demonstrating that apparent destruction by God of the old is an indispensable

part of His constructive work and that really destruction is construction in such

cases. When in the march of evolution, the single cell bursts into two, the death

of the old is the birth of the new. Even where highly complex organisms with sex

characteristics differentiated, the older must wear out and die before the younger

are born and developed.

The old dilapidated temple however sacred must be pulled down before the new

beautiful temple is built on the same site. Similarly, though Baba assures people

of his respect for old forms, old gods and gurus, what happens often is that a

new strong, vigorous, charming and fruitful faith in Sai Baba replaces the old

decadent profession of faith in one's older gods and gurus. But do those enjoying

the new faith deplore the loss of the old or even declare that they have lost

anything? In fact, they have lost nothing really. What has been given up was not

any living faith. People should not give up their living and fruitful faith in Rama,

Krishna, etc. and in their gurus. They never do give up such faith.

A more recent instance occurring at Kumbakonam may be repeated. A staunch

Vaishnavite Brahmin was worshipping God as Tirupati Venkatesa and refused to

pay any regard to any other form. He was ailing from very acute and painful

Sciatica and Rheumatism. His son-in-law gave him Baba's udhi and asked him to

repeat Sai Baba's name with faith. At first, he resisted this attempt to subvert his

faith in Venkatesa, as he termed it. But necessity is the mother of faith.

One night, when the pain in his body could not be endured any further, he

suddenly took Baba's udhi and applied it to his legs thrice, calling on Sai Baba to

remove his pain. The effect was instantaneous. The pain was off. Sleep that he

could never obtain instantly supervened. He woke up in the morning freed from

sciatica and was able to walk. He first thought that Venkatesa had led him into

faith in Baba. He finally discovered that Baba was Venkatesa. Baba's Guru being

Venkatesa, or one that had merged his self in Venkatesa. In fact, there is only

one God, however necessary it may be to start one's faith in God by localizing

God and attaching a particular form and name to Him.

Sai enables men ultimately to see that the fruit of former faith is the present faith,

that Sai is no other than the Old Ishta Devata and guru and that the unifying and

harmonizing influence molding their lives and selves points and leads to that

ultimate unity-Sai-chit-Ananda. Such experience has come to several. Reader, if

it has not come to you yet, you also may get it one day. It is your own God who

draws you through the Sai form.

FreedomThe truly blessed are those who, flinging freedom aside, have clung to Thy

Lotus-feet;

In pain is their gain;

In defeat is their joy;

In sorrow is their dawn of awakening;

In suffering is their victory!

And to those that smite them, they give their smiles!

And to those that persecute them they send out the benedictions of their love-

filled hearts!

They are the truly free! They have broken all fetters-Aye, even the fetter of

freedom!

Disciplines of DevotionBy Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

Sadguru Sri Sai Baba said:

I rest there where there is devotion. Believe in Me, Remember Me always. Have

patience and faith, then I will always be with you, wherever you are at all times.

Srimad Bhagavatam states that all genuine spiritual disciplines are parts of

bhaktiyoga, the yoga of devotion. In this scripture the Lord declares that He can

be grasped only through devotion, for morality, pursuit of truth, and charity,

though good in them, cannot purify the soul if devoid of devotion. The human

spirit shines, rid of all its dross, only when put into the fire of devotion.

The scripture nonetheless recognizes the distinctiveness of the three yogas

namely; jnana yoga (path of knowledge), karma yoga (path of action), and bhakti.

Sometimes it speaks of yogas being only two, of jnana and bhakti, that of karma

being only preparatory to them.

To seekers of a very high standard of renunciation, jnana yoga is prescribed;

karma yoga to those who are moved by desires, and bhaktiyoga to those who get

chance to listen to the praises of the Lord and feel strongly drawn to Him, but are

only partially fit for renunciation.

By this the Bhagavatam is not downgrading devotion, which it considers to be the

highest goal attainable by an individual and which it considers unavoidable for

success even to a seeker on the path of knowledge (jnana).

However, devotion can be practiced even by one with less intellectual

endowment. While a jnana aspirant has to rely on his own strength, the devotee

is always backed by the Lord, whom he approaches in a personal relationship

and who responds to him accordingly.

Lord Krishna says: "A genuine devotee of mine, even if he happens to be

temporarily subjugated by sense objects, is never lost. He is backed by the

power of his devotion to Me."

According to the Bhagavatam, devotional discipline, which generates both

dispassion for worldly objects and knowledge of God, is a natural and

simultaneous process of spiritual evolution, despite initial deficiencies. It is thus

compared to eating a ball of rice, producing simultaneously satisfaction of

hunger, strength of body, and the pleasure of eating.

Specific PracticesFaith, the first stage of true devotion, is a state of mind in which the spiritual

value is accepted as more fundamental than any other, and man shows

readiness to sacrifice and strive for it. The very important part that holy company

plays in generating faith is stressed all through the Bhagavatam.

For men of faith who want to develop the second and third stages of devotion,

namely, attachment and loving devotion for God, the Bhagavatam prescribes a

course of discipline called Bhagavatha Dharma (right way of living), which is

applicable to all men of right intentions. It is claimed to be easier and more

practicable than the disciplines prescribed by the Vedas and Yoga Sastras

.

"For aspirants who are not learned in the Vedas and other scriptures, the Lord

has given the path of devotion as an easy way of attaining to Him," says the

Bhagavatam. "A person following this path never sustains any spiritual fall. Even

if he runs along this path with eyes closed, his feet do not slip and he does not

topple down. Whatever a devotee does with body, mind, senses, intellect, or

spirit not necessarily scripture-ordained duties, but all activities natural to him - let

him consecrate it all to the Lord Narayana, by making them an offering unto

Him."

It is comparatively easy for a man to make a show of devotion by chanting,

attending discourses and devotional recitals, worshiping, serving holy images,

but if he is full of what the Bhagavad Gita calls asuri-sampat or demoniacal

nature, which expresses itself as self aggrandizement through greed, lust, and

violence, his devotional practice will be completely useless.

So, combating this demoniacal element in an aspirant is the foundation on which

the edifice of devotional life is to be built upon, and this is done by wholehearted

dedication of one's actions and their fruits to the Lord. If all actions are to be

dedicated to Him, one in whom true faith has been generated will be very

particular to eliminate unethical action; for nothing corrupt and tainted should be

offered to the Lord.

For a man dominated by body sense; physical values are the most real of all

categories. Mere ritualistic worship or mental adoration cannot give him the

sense of realism which dedication of all actions can give. Loving disposition

(daya), material gift (dana), self-control (dama) are declared in the Upanishads

as the keystones of the ethical discipline for asuras, men, and gods respectively.

In every person there are all these three. So to combat this asuric nature, a

quantum of physical worship is required, and this consists in dedicated action,

service of fellowmen, charities, observance of vows, and austerities. It is only

through long practice of dedicated action that devotional sentiment will take root.

There is no time limit fixed for this discipline.

So long as one has not developed dispassion for the objects of senses and

begun to feel delight in divine contemplation, at least works of the nature of duty

and service of fellow-beings must be performed. In fact, according to the

Bhagavad Gita, work of this purifying type should be kept up all through life.

Permanent FeaturePower of Guru

(From the glorious life of Thyagaraja Swami)By Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar

Compositions of Thyagaraja Swami are well known in all families in South India.

Blessed with exceptional musical talent, Thyagaraja spurned fame and riches

and devoted his life to Lord Ramachandra. His compositions have the capacity to

instill devotion, joy and happiness in the hearts of all.

Thyagaraja was born as the third child to Brahmin parents, Rama Brahma and

Shanta Devi, in 1767 at Thiruvayaru, near Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu. The parents

had prayed in the local Thyagaraja Temple and mother Shanta Devi had a divine

darshan with the message: "I am pleased with your seva and bhakti. A great

singer and a bhakta of Lord Rama will be born to you."

When the bhakta was born, Rama Brahma named him Thyagaraja, since he was

born by the blessings of Thyagaraja. When he was five, his father began to teach

him Telugu. Both parents also took him to Thyagaraja Mandir where the boy

listened to kirtans. Often he would also join in the singing. The adult singers

appreciated his sweet voice and singing style. Noticing his innate musical ability

Rama Brahma arranged for him to learn music.

He became Shondi Venkataraman's pupil. The Guru was a famous teacher at the

royal court of Thanjavur. Thyagaraja studied sincerely. By the age of 16, he had

mastered many aspects of music. He began to compose and sing kirtans on Lord

Rama. Simultaneously, he studied Sanskrit. After obtaining the Guru's blessings,

he returned home.

Thyagaraja never envisaged his musical abilities as a source of income. For this

reason his elder brothers often quarreled with him. When 18, Thyagaraja married

Parvati. Soon Thyagaraja's parents expired. Four years later Parvati too died.

This increased Thyagaraja's detachment from the world. But at people's behest

he re-married Parvati's sister Kamala. After marriage, Thyagaraja continued his

deep devotion, singing Lord Rama's kirtans for hours at a time. This infuriated

Jayesh, his eldest brother, who supported the household. Jayesh rebuked

Thyagaraja saying that singing kirtans would not bring home food. How long

could he support him and his wife?

Thyagaraja relinquished his father's property to him and retired to a hut away

from the village. Thyagaraja comforted his wife: "Do not worry. In this isolated

retreat, it will be even more joyous to offer devotion. Lord Rama is here to care

for us. He may awaken us hungry but he will not lest us sleep so." Kamala had

the grace not to demand perishable worldly objects from her husband, who was

totally immersed in devotion.

Once, while Thyagaraja was engrossed in singing kirtans, a renunciate named

Ramakrishnananda arrived on their doorstep. The couple welcomed him by

offering the little fruit they had in store. Pleased by their service, he offered them

a boon. Thyagaraja replied: "O Yogiraj! The stalwart renunciates never arrive

without a purpose. All I ask is for a Guru - Mantra to cross 'Sansar’”.

Ramakrishnananda commanded Thyagaraja: "Recite the Rama mantra ten

million times and Lord Rama will redeem you."

Resolutely, Thyagaraja commenced chanting the Rama mantra, 125,000 times

every day. When he was 38 years old, he completed the Rama mantra. By Lord

Rama's grace, he attained Vachan Siddhi'. This meant that whatever he spoke

would prove true. In addition, even in his sleep, while his lips remained closed,

one could hear the incessant chanting of 'Rama, Rama'.

But a constant fear troubled him. By Vachan siddhi' one could not only do good

to others, but curse them as well. What could be the outcome, he wondered, if an

ugly incident arose and he cursed someone? He quickly held a yagna on

completion of his japas. He offered back to Rama the Vachan ‘Siddhi' he had

been granted. By renouncing this siddhi, he also remained true to the meaning of

his name-Thyagaraj, King of Renunciation.

At that time, he heard a knock at the door. On opening it, he witnessed an

unbelievable sight - a teenage form of Lord Rama, accompanied by Lakshman

and the Rishi, Viswamitra. Transfixed on seeing his Lord, he forgot to welcome

them. Divine rays emanating from Lord Rama entered Thyagaraja's body and

soon the divine darshan ended. Only then did Thyagaraja come to his senses

and repented for failing to welcome them. Deeply regretting this, the kirtans he

composed thereafter, all pined for the Lord. These kirtans and his music spread

his fame all over. People regarded him as a saintly personality and began to flock

to his hut.

Sage Narada blessed him with a visit and gifted him 'Swavarnava Siddhi'. By

this, his knowledge and musical talents improved markedly.

King Sharbhoj invited him to his court. But Thyagaraja refused saying: "Only Lord

Rama's name plays on my tongue. Never will it sing praises of a king. The head

which has bowed to Lord Rama will not bow to a king. By forsaking Lord Rama's

seva, I will not adopt royal service. I only know Lord Rama's palace and if it is my

good fortune, there I will go."

On receiving this message, the King did not get angry but, himself decided to

visit Thyagaraja. When his elder brother Jayesh heard the news that Thyagaraja

had refused to visit the court, he was infuriated, since he craved for the worldly

riches which the king would have gifted Thyagaraja. He therefore grabbed Lord

Rama's murti and flung it in the nearby river Kaveri. Loving this murti more than

his own soul, Thyagaraja plunged into the river. People on the banks watched

aghast. Thyagaraja swam to the bottom and somehow located the murti.

Onlookers hailed him and scorned Jayesh.

Now old age had set in. He composed hundreds of kirtans dedicated to Lord

Rama. His wife Kamala died. This deeply saddened Thyagaraja. Henceforth, his

poems reflected this sorrow and lamentations for Kamala. He then renounced to

become a sanyasi. Soon in 1847, he passed away and joined Lord Rama in

Vaikunth.

Meditate on Om. Know this sacred syllable Om. You will know everything. You

will attain the Highest Knowledge.

- Swamiji Sivananda

A dip in Sahasra Nama - 33Greatness of Vishnu Sahasra Nama

By Dr. H., Janardana AcharyaKnow Thyself!A wise man of ancient Greece answered well a skeptic who asked a number of

questions. "What," he asked, "Is the greatest of all things?"

The sage answered: "Space is the greatest, for space contains all that has been

created."

The sage was asked again: "What is the best of all things?"

He answered: "Virtue."

He was asked: "What is the quickest of all things?"

He answered: 'Thought. For in less than a minute thought can fly to the ends of

the universe."

And again: "What is the easiest of all things?"

And the sage answered: 'To give advice."

But when the sage was asked: "What is the most difficult of all things?" he

answered in three words 'To know thyself!"

Vishnu Sahasranama literally means thousand names of Vishnu, the All-

pervading. But 'Sahasra' really means 'many' and not confined to the rigid one

and three zeroes. The name of an object in common use is meant to distinguish

one object from another and rarely explains the quality of the object. In human

beings, the name often contradicts itself. A 'Sundara’ may be awfully ugly and a

'Subhasha' may be even dumb as in Tagore's story. But the name of God or

Vishnu gives you His quality, His definition, His prowess, His objects, His goal

and everything known, unknown and knowable of Him.

For devotees of Gayathri, the Sahasranama will give the composition of Bhargah.

You mediate on the Sahasranama and you will be meditating on Bhargah. I,

venture to say Bhargah and Sahasranama are synonymous. The Sahasranama

will supplement your Gayathri and enlighten your Sandhya. What Bhargah

implies, the Sahasranama explains.

There is a prevalent misconception that the Sahasranama caters to only certain

beliefs and believers like Vaishnavites; in other words, that it is sectarian and is

taboo for others like Saivites, Skandas, Sourahs, Shakthas, Ganapathas, etc.

Will a Saivite admit that his Shiva is not omnipresent and all-pervading? If his

answer is an emphatic 'No', then the Sahasranama applies to him as much as to

the Vaishnavites. This argument holds good for the worshippers of all other

aspects of Divinity. They have only to take off their blinkers. The Sahasranama is

catholic and universal.

In parenthesis, it may be pointed out that the first word, Viswam, in the

Sahasranama is neuter gender. With this neutrality and its significance of

Universality specifying neither Vishnu nor Shiva of the sectarian conception, the

word Viswam makes the Sahasranama in one stroke and from the very start

catholic and non-sectarian.

As the Geetha is the quintessence of the Vedas and Upanishads, the

Sahasranama is another reflection of them in a different form, preaching Dharma.

What 'mantras' and 'sutras' proclaim there, the 'namas' in the Sahasranama

(which is of the essence of the ancient lore) condense in 107 slokas meant for

the ordinary who cannot dive deep into the Vedas, Upanishads and the Geetha

for want of requisite knowledge. In fact, ending of Geetha and Sahasranama is

parallel. The conclusion in either is almost identical. How it is so, will be

explained in the course of this narration.

The Sahasranama is not a haphazard collection of words jumbled together, but it

is a continuous stream of thought arranged in proper sequence, one word being

chanted to the other, explaining, completing or complementing the other. In

certain contexts, if one is not able to form a continuous thread, the inability is due

to one's own ignorance rather than to any faulty construction. A more enlightened

person will tread his way clearly in the supposed maze.

Is Sahasranama A Rambling Theme?No. To those who attribute to the Sahasranama that it is an incoherent narration,

I would place before them for their consideration that the whole of the

Sahasranama is a conversational discussion between Bhishma and Yudhishtira

and the apparent lack of continuity in the line of thought is, but natural in such a

conversational discourse.

During an exposition at such a high level it was not unnatural that Yudhishtira

might have posed some questions for enlightenment, the answers to which might

appear to be breaks in the continuity of the main narrative. Since we are not told

what the questions were, we are at a loss at first sight to find the cogency of the

theme in certain places. In the Geetha which is also similar if you are to omit all

the interpellations of Arjuna, the Geetha too might suffer from the same apparent

defects to a wandering dissertation.

Suppose a thorn has pierced a man's foot. He picks another thorn to pull out the

first one. After extracting the first thorn with the help of the second, he throws

both away. One should use the thorn of knowledge to pull out the thorn of

ignorance.

-Sri Ramakrishna

WorshipTo a devotee who was overly respectful, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji said: "Light is

reflected on a wall. Why venerate the wall? Be attentive to the light."

AvoidanceA pilgrim came to Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and told him of his pilgrimage to

Arunachala to seek Ramana's blessings, Anandashram to seek Swami

Ramadas's blessings, Rishikesh to seek Swami Sivananda's grace, Shirdi to get

Baba's grace and so on. He was only bemoaning that all the great Masters have

left their mortal coils and said : "Are there any Masters left on earth?"

"There is one" said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. "Who is that?" keenly solicited.

Swamiji replied: "Where are YOU?"

Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna SwamijiBy Prof. R. Narayana lyengar (Continued from previous issue)

I am very much disappointed, but helpless. The car started but without being

invited, I am unable to accompany Swamiji. Inside the house Sri Varadarajan is

asking Sri Bhaskara Rao "What time would you like to have your lunch?" Rao is

smilingly looking at me and responding "Oh, it is only 9.30 now; let us have lunch

by 11.30."

I am sitting inside the room, sad with the feeling of being left out by Swamiji.

Some five minutes have passed by. All of a sudden, Krishnamurthy's voice is

heard. Sri Bhaskara Rao is calling me. "Swamiji has sent word for you to go with

him." Oh! My God, how can I hold my feelings? I am struck with awe, wonder and

joy. Perhaps, for the Ritambhara consciousness of Swamiji, our minds are like

pages of an open book. But, which desire gets fulfilled and which gets rejected

cannot be foretold. For some, the time may not be ripe. For some others, the

desire itself vanishes. In the car Swamiji is conversing with Sri Vishwanathan

about his office work.

On the way to the Railway Colony, Swamiji has visited the residence of Dr.

Suryanarayana Rao, President of the local Sai Samaj. Dr. Rao is a famous eye

surgeon in Madurai. He lives with his family in the first floor of the house. The

vast ground floor is occupied by his surgery and nursing home. He has

conducted Swamiji directly to his puja room. Among the various symbols of

Hindu Gods and Goddesses, the photograph of Saibaba is prominently visible.

Swamiji himself has done the Arathi and Naivedya. After distribution of the

prasad, Swamiji is now visiting the patients in the wards. As Swamiji stands near

each patient with eyes bandaged, the kind doctor is announcing to each patient

"Swamiji has come! Please take prasad."

Swamiji has reached the residence of Sri Vishwanathan, by about 11 O'clock.

Railway residence, particularly those of high officials, needs no explanation. This

bungalow is a mini palace. A vast frontage with a lawn, a variety of trees, a lush

garden, a well laid out approach road with painted Rerb stones, an open

verandah with rifle carrying guards at the doorway convey the first impressions.

Sri Vishwanathan has briskly gone into his house perhaps to arrange something.

Swamiji is walking calmly towards the entrance, while we are getting out of the

car.

Suddenly it appears from behind, that Swamiji has embraced some one in the

verandah. Oh! What a sight. It is the watchdog which has taken the initiative to

embrace the saint! The huge animal is standing with its front legs placed on

Swamiji's shoulders. Swamiji is fondling the lucky dog. Even all the persons

around are wonder struck. Sri Vishwanathan and his wife have come out to

receive Swamiji but appear upset with the turn of the events. The guards are

forced to pull out the dog, since there are no signs of the strange scene

changing! A pandit has started reciting mantras and the couple has received

Swamiji with traditional purnakumbha.

A well furnished spacious house, reflecting a modern taste combined with

traditional motifs, is what we see inside. Swamiji has been directly conducted

towards the puja room. Here also there are a large number of pictures and idols

of Gods and Goddesses. The picture of Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi is

prominently visible. Swamiji has started Vishnu Sahasranama. Sri Vishwanathan

has also joined us in the recital. Sri Vishwanathan seems to know Swamiji well,

however for his wife Sushila, this is her first meeting with Swamiji. She is talking

to Swamiji with extreme shyness and deference. However, Swamiji himself is

taking the initiative to ask her name, native place and about their children. Sri

Vishwanathan’s are the parents of Anand, the chess prodigy. Now, they are

asking Swamiji, how the lunch has to be served. Would he like to sit on ground or

at the dining table? Swamiji in his characteristic way answered 'whatever is

convenient for you, is all right with me.' We are all sitting on the floor in the

traditional fashion. The lady of the house is personally serving the items in the

style of a South Indian Brahmin household. Swamiji is praying for the good of the

family, after saying Meenakshi-Sundareswara Prithyartham, Padmavathi-

Venkateswara Prithyartham - Smt. Sushila is undoubtedly a wonderful hostess.

Sri Vishwanathan is explaining that in view of Swamiji's visit all the twelve items

have been prepared by Smt Sushila herself. Swamiji is eager to return to Sri

Varadarajan's house. On return, we find that already a large number of people

are waiting for Darshan of Swamiji. A lady is explaining her sorrow to Swamiji.

Her husband is sitting mutely by her side. Their only son who went away from the

family twenty years back is yet to return. "I do not know whether he is alive or

not.... for some reason I had scolded him. He took that as a reason and went

away. He was only a ten year child then..."

The lady is weeping uncontrollably. "Some how I managed all these years, but I

cannot do so any longer. His memory cannot be erased. "Swamiji is calmly

reflecting, and is asking in his smooth voice 'what is his name and birth star?’

Govindarajan and Chitta came the answer. Swamiji appears to be thinking or

contemplating deeply with eyes closed. May be he is in a trance. After about five

minutes, he is consoling the lady 'Amma, do not worry. He will return in another

year's time. Perhaps, he has forgotten his childhood events. You see today the

star is Chitta... He appears to be somewhere in Andhra Pradesh...' This is some

consolation for the aged couple.

Swamiji would like to return to Bangalore after an hour's rest. By 2.30 the group

is ready to depart. Sri Varadarajan is understandably upset. Swamiji's separation

has bought tears to his eyes. He has also got into the car and is requesting

'Swamiji, I will come with you at least some distance!' After Sri Varadarajan got

down at a circle, the vehicle is smoothly proceeding towards Tiruchi. The place

for night halt is yet to be decided. Swamiji is eager to visit Srirangam. Sri

Doraiswamy is suggesting a visit to Gunashekaram also.

Even as the town of Tiruchi is reached, there appears to be some transformation

in Swamiji! It is as though he has become nostalgic or gone into another

dimension! Swamiji is describing the town with tender emotions. 'Hey! See here,

this is the St. Joseph's school where I was studying'. "Swamiji, how long you

were in this town?" "Oh! All my younger days were spent here. Till my 22nd year,

I was here... see, this the Fort, this is called Teppakulam..." In the centre is a

beautiful pond. Around the pond are age old congested Agraharams. Near by is

the suddenly out cropping rock; the surroundings are rather peculiar.

Somehow, the driver is making way for the car through the dense crowd. Swamiji

is suddenly indicating... "See, there! That was our house. In the beginning we

were on the other side, later we moved to this house. Who knows now who are

living there?" The car has arrived at a Ganapathi Temple. In his childhood days

Swamiji used to frequently visit this temple. The temple is on the rock, which is

projecting out of the earth vertically upwards. There are no easy slopes on the

rock. Throughout there are steep step cut in the rock to go up. Everything is very

clean and neat. Swamiji is coming up, but insisting that he does not like to climb

up fully. Suddenly we have reached the Mathrubhuteswara Temple. Since the

width of the rock is not much, the architect has visualized the temple vertically, in

several floors.

First comes the shrine for Devi, above this is the shrine for Shiva. Further above

is the temple for Ganapathi. Compared to the huge crowd, the management of

the temple is exemplary. The name of the Devi here is Sugandha Kuntalamba. It

appears the ritual bathing (Abhishekam) for the goddess has just been

completed, and further makeup is going on. We are having darshan from a

distance. There are four or five priests inside, busy with their work. To have a

good darshan one will have to go near, but it is not clear whether we are allowed

or whether this is the appropriate time. All the pilgrims are standing outside as

though waiting for a call.

(to be continued………………..)

O man! Thou art a pilgrim here.

Awake, awake.

Life is short. Time is fleeting.

Go back to your original home of immortal bliss.

- Swami Sivananda

SpeechA devotee could not wait to tell Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji the rumor he had heard

in the marketplace.

"Wait a minute" said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, "What you plan to tell us, is it

true?"

"I do not think it is." "Is it useful?" "No. it is not." "Is it funny?"

"No"

"Then why should we be hearing it?"

Spiritual ReliefSri Radhakrishna Swamiji held that no words were bad if they were used in an

appropriate context. When he was told that one of his devotees was given to

swearing, Swamiji remarked, "Profanity has been known to offer spiritual relief

denied to prayer."

If someone were to refer to politics or any gossip, Swamiji used to start reciting

Vishnu Sahasranamam to distract the attention of the people present from

discussing politics.

The Saint of ShirdiBy S. JagannathanThere came to Shirdi, an obscure village; In a fakir's garb, a future sage; None

knew of his age or parentage, But His Love to all, in Nature's language. An old

mosque, he chose for his abode to live, for others, ever, in Divine Mode; Afflicted

hearts came to him to unload and, in Him, sought, to salvation, the road. In the

mosque he kept His holy fire, The Udhi he gave to all in grief, Transcending

beyond limits of life to inspire those who flocked to Him in true belief. With water

to burn his lamps at night, He was beyond all action-He was Light, The

Manifestation of all Thought and Power, A Divine Being, indeed, to seek and

discover.

He was the harbinger of Love and Peace, The perfect rhapsody (of thoughts) -

that really is, the music divine, in enchanting melodies. Manifesting the aspect

twain in one perfect synthesis. The vortex of healing power in His mortal frame,

the epitome of desire to protect the weak, In motherly love rose to Eternal fame,

A Saint, a God and the Master to seek. Call Him, not a fakir, or a mere being, In

Him is all Life and its belonging, the secret vibrations to a Divine Awakening, He

is the Lord beyond Human understanding. He comes to the Door where man

lives to rule himself in harmony with humanity; Learning to use the Mystic Word

that gives Peace, in concord with joy, unto Eternity. Open your hearts to seek

that One Vision That takes you beyond birth, life and death; Go to Him in utter

humility and faith, Thence you are with Him in cosmic fusion. Let us rise to His

immortal heights, Aspire towards perfection in our human traits, Go beyond

relative existence to silently hear His echo, "WHY FEAR, WHEN I AM HERE."

The Source of InspirationBy Justice T. N. Vallinayagam

Mr. Justice I N. Vallinayagam of the Karnataka High Court was with us on

15.1.1999 to release the booklet ‘Thus Spake Saipadananda' and we are

pleased to publish excerpts from his speech in the form of an article.

- EditorReligion exists for the uplift of humanity and is a path to Divinity. Fundamentally

the basic principles of all religions are alike; but the base ego often perverts them

for its own ends. The Vedas and works like those of Valmiki and Veda Vyasa, the

former depicting the life' story of Lord Rama and the latter of Lord Krishna in the

Mahabharata which inter alia contains the Bhagavad Geetha - the Divine Song -

and a code of conduct for humanity in spiritual, moral and social spheres, are

epics of which one could be justly proud. The great prophet Mohamed and Jesus

Christ propagated religions of peace and universal love.

In Kali Yuga, politics and greed have deflected the Hindus from the teachings of

the Vedas and Puranas; the Muslims from those of the Koran and Christian

nations are claiming a desire to establish peace by war! India is in turmoil despite

its proud culture and peace loving nature. Even nature has become violent and

we hear of destructive floods and earthquakes.

For fifty years, the great Master Sai Baba of Shirdi disseminated by precept and

example the religion of faith, truth and love to humanity, when he was in the

mortal coil, and decades after his Mahasamadhi in 1918, his message has

progressively rung louder throughout the length and breadth of India- and even

beyond, thanks to the sincere and untiring labors of His apostles - Poojya Sri

Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. As a humble devotee of Sai

Baba, I am proud of his glory and grace.

Sai Baba was 'Parabrahma' but was humility incarnate. He would say: 'I am a

servant of God." Many instances of His supreme mystic power and leelas could

be cited, but he never paraded them and attributed everything to Allah and the

Guru. There was no distinction with him of caste, class or creed and the Hindu

would do his worship in the mosque along with Muslim and Parsi devotees and

others who offered prayers in their own way. He never gave up 'Bhiksha'

although after 1911 there were large offerings of fruits and sweets of which He

took only little bits. He used to distribute fairly large amounts of money every day

but spent nothing on Himself. Just before His last breath He took nine coins from

his pocket and gave to Lakshmi.

He was an ocean of 'Premamrita' but people looked up to Him more for worldly

benefits than spiritual. He once said that thousands had come to Him, but those

who came for purely spiritual benefit could be counted on his fingers.

Our duty is to vow complete surrender of ourselves to Him and live our worldly

life with as much detachment as possible, and with faith and love, be living

examples of Universal Brotherhood. We have the ideals of Sri Narasimha

Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and may the Master in His unbounded

Grace make us worthy of Him.

Rely on YourselfA disciple came riding on his camel to the tent of his Sufi Master. He dismounted

and walked right into the tent, bowed low and said, "So great is my faith in God

that I have left my camel outside untied, convinced that God protects the

interests of those who love him."

"Go tie your camel, you fool!" said the Master. God cannot be bothered doing for

you what you are perfectly capable of doing for yourself.

GOSSIPA devotee confessed his bad habit of repeating gossip. Smilingly, replied Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji: Repeating it would not be so bad if you did not

He advised to repeat Vishnu Sahasra Namam instead of indulging in gossip. To

those devotees who were always asking for words of wisdom, Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji said, "Wisdom is not expressed in words. It reveals itself in action. But

when he saw them plunge headlong into activity he laughed and said, "That is

not action. That is Motion”

At the feet of the GuruUnusual Devotee takes to Sahasranamam

By R. Seshadri"Even mechanical repetition of Sahasranamam is good. Any name of the Lord

may be repeated to one's advantage. Rama's name is ideal. It is a powerful

name. As you recite the 1000 names of the Lord, at least one name is sure to

stick in your mind. For some it may be Krishna, for others Rama. We should

illuminate the inner mandir of the heart through nama japa. Baba lighted the

Dwarakamayi with lamps that burned throughout the night. We too likewise burn

lamps in our hearts through the repetition of God's names."

- Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

We had seen in the previous issue how Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji initiated a

rationalist Lawyer in Sahasranamam recitation. When I visited Sri Sai Spiritual

Centre one evening, Swamiji was leading a group of devotees in the recitation.

Soon after a new round had started, a lawyer from Shankarapuram, Bangalore,

accompanied by a young couple, dropped in. Swamiji immediately stopped the

chanting and addressed the lawyer thus: "Anantharam, take the couple to the

Mallur Temple (near Channapatna), where the Lord will bless them."

He did not ask for any other detail, and resumed the recitation. When it was over,

he turned to me and said: "What is the miracle? Who performs it? When these

people approached me, we were then uttering 'Aprameya Hrshikesa', Sri

Narayana appeared in the form of Apremeya in a vision and I could at once feel

the presence there of the childless couple. Hence, I have asked them to visit the

Mallur Temple. (It is customary for childless couple to visit the temple and offer

'joolas' (craddle) with babies inside to be suspended from the ceiling of the

enticing Krishna Sannidhi)

While many interesting experiences may be cited to prove the efficacy of Vishnu

Sahasranamam, to save the readers time, and space in the magazine. Let me

recount the following unusual account.

One day, Swamiji mentioned that when even some of us were reluctant to take to

Sahasranama, A Catholic Christian Nurse came here all the way from the

Bowring Hospital to learn and recite it. Here are the details provided by Swamiji

himself:

The Nurse, who had numerous domestic and personal problems, had a strange

dream one night in which a saint with a flowing white beard, appeared and

advised her to start chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam to overcome her problems.

The puzzled lady, next morning, made discreet inquiries at the hospital, when

she chanced to meet an old Brahmin couple from Basavanagudi, who offered to

take her to a saintly person at Thyagarajanagar, who was chanting

Sahasranamam most of the time.

When the Nurse was finally brought to Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, the next day, the

Nurse could not believe her eyes when she saw the saint of her dream in flesh,

blood and bone!

When I expressed my curiosity to see this lady, Swamiji said I would meet her

one day. In the evening of Shivarathri day, I visited the Centre and seated myself

near Swamiji. Just then Swamiji pointed his fingers to the northern entrance of

the Shrine Hall. I saw a Nurse in duty uniform (She could not have a change),

entering the hall, squatting there. She soon after joined the group in the

recitation. She had a Sahasranama book tucked up in her armpit earlier.

No wonder, Swamiji was assertive: "Recitation of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam is

the panacea for all ills."

Imprisonment"You are so proud of your intelligence", said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to a

devotee. "You are like the condemned man who is proud of the vastness of his

prison cell."

Identity"How does one seek union with Sai Baba?" enquired a devotee.

Swamiji replied: "The harder you seek, the more distance you create between

Him and you."

Devotee: "So what does one do about the distance?"

Swamiji: "Understand that it is not there."

Devotee: "Does that mean that Sai Baba and myself are one?"

Swamiji: 'Mont one. Not two."

Devotee: "How is that possible?"

Swamiji: "The sun and its light, the ocean and the wave, the singer and his song -

not one. Not two."

HarmonyFor all his traditional ways, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji had great respect for rules

and rituals. Once there was a difference of opinion between a devotee and his

daughter because the man kept insisting that the-girl conform to the rules of their

religion in the choice of her prospective husband. Swamiji openly sided with the

girl.

When the devotee expressed his surprise that the Swamiji would do this, he

simply said: "you must understand that life is just like music more by feeling and

by instinct than by rules."

UnderstandingA devotee asked Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "How shall I get the grace of never

judging my neighbor"?

Swamiji replied: "Through Vishnu Sahasranamam."

The devotee said: "Then why have I not found it yet? I recite Vishnu

Sahasranamam twice a day."

Swamiji: "Because you have not prayed in the right place."

Devotee: "Where is that?"

Swamiji:" In the heart of God."

Devotee: "How do I get there?"

Swamiji: "Understand that anyone who sins does not know what he is doing and

deserves to be forgiven."

Portraits of Swamiji’s InstalledBy Sai Natarajan

On Sunday, January 10, 1999, was a great day for the devotees of Shirdi Sai

Baba Satsang, when the portraits of Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji were installed by Sri Sai Spiritual Centre office-bearers in

the Prayer Hall of the Radhakrishna Temple, for the regular worship of Satsang

devotees.

At 4.p.m. the Padukas of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji arrived at Sri Sai Kuteer,

residence of Mr. B. H. Chamaraj, Convener of the Satsang. Mr. Chamaraj and Sri

C. Govindaraj took the portraits in a procession which were placed later in the

Prayer Hall, along with the Padukas. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama was chanted, after

which Mr. Govindaraj welcomed the devotees.

Mr. D. L Radhakrishna conducted a nice Bhajan program. Archana to the

TRINITY was performed. Archana to the Padukas with two-rupee coins

symbolizing Shraddha and Saburi was performed.

Mr. R. Seshadri spoke on Swamiji's message of love and devotion to a very

receptive audience. 'Arathi' being offered to the portraits of the Swamiji's held by Sri B. H. Chamaraj fright) and Sri C. Govindaraj at the entrance of the Prayer

Hall.

19th Aradhana of Sri Radhakrishna SwamijiBy S. Syama Rao

Sri Sai Spiritual Centre celebrated the 19th Aradhana of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji on the 14th of January, 1999. The Celebrations started with Kakad Arati.

After Kakad Arathi, the devotees led by Sri R. Seshadri, President of the Centre

visited Devagiri Sri Venkateswara Temple, chanting Bhajans. At the temple, the

devotees chanted Vishnu Sahasranama and after Archana to the deity, the

devotees returned to the Centre, again doing Bhajans.

A large number of devotees participated in Samoohika Abhisheka to Baba, Sri

Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji.

Non-stop chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama started at 8.30 a.m. Enthusiastic

devotees in large numbers participated in the chanting till 10.40p.m.

Krama Aradhana of Poojya Swamiji was performed at 9.30 a.m. by Sri D. V.

Krishna Murthy. Sri R. Seshadri also participated in the rituals. Theertha

Narayana Pooja was performed to Swamiji after Krama Aradhana. About two

thousand devotees attended the function and partook of the Prasadam.

As a prelude to the Aradhana, Saipadananda Brotherhood get-together was

arranged in the Centre on the 13th January 1999 presided over by Sri R.

Seshadri. (A detailed report appears elsewhere in this issue). A public meeting

was held at 6.30 p.m. Mr. Justice T N. Vallinayagam released the booklet ‘Thus

Spake Saipadananda' and Sri D. V. Murthy, President, Sri Sai Mandali released

the Kannada version of the above booklet entitled 'Saipadananda Nudi

Muthugalu’. Sri R. Seshadri presided over the function and Air Cmdre T. M. M.

Raghavan compeered the program. Sri S. Syama Rao proposed a vote of

thanks.

On 16th January, the devotees shared their experiences with the audience, at a

function presided over by Sri Seshadri.

There was a grant finale to the celebrations with the children of Saipadananda

Bala Vihara giving a variety cultural program on 17th January, 1999, conducted

by Dr. P. S. Narayana Rao, assisted by Kum. Sunanda, Smt. Sarojini and Sri D.

Srikanth. Prizes and Certificates were distributed to the winners in the various

Competitions like Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, Drawing, Singing, and Dance &

Drama.

Sri D. V. Krishna Murthy carrying 'kumbha' at the Aradhana of Guru

Radhakrishna Swamiji, in front of the Radha Krishna Shrine.

Pooja to Padukas To mark the Twentieth Year of Mahasamadhi of H.H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji,

it is proposed to conduct Pooja to the holy Padukas of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

on all Sundays, from 7th March to 9th Jan. 2000, at the residences of devotees in

Bangalore.

DiscriminationA devotee resorted to chits in front of Sai Baba to take an important decision.

Somehow it was a failure and he was in a complaining mood. He told Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji: "I have burnt my fingers once. I shall never resort to chits

to take a decision in my life."

Calmly Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji replied: "You are like the cat who having burnt

itself from sitting on a stove, refused to sit again."

MechanicalnessSri Radhakrishna Swamiji asked his devotees which were more important,

wisdom or action. The devotees were unanimous: "Action, of course. Of what use

is wisdom that does not show itself in action?"

Said Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "And of what use is action that proceeds from an

unenlightened heart?"

Saipadananda's Sayings: Booklet ReleasedBy T. M. M. Raghavan

Justice T. N. Vallinayagam of the Karnataka High Court released "Thus Spake

Saipadananda", a booklet containing some of the valuable sayings of H. H. Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji, at the public meeting of Saipadananda Brotherhood, on

January 15, 1999. Sri D.V. Murthy, President, Sri Sai Mandali, Malleswaram, the

Chief Guest of the evening, released "Saipadananda Nudi Muthugalu," the

Kannada version of "Thus Spake Saipadananda", (translated by Dr. G. R.

Vijayakumar.)

At the well-attended meeting held as part of the 19th Aradhana celebrations of

Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, Mr. Justice Vallinayagam gave a scholarly exposition

of the varied aspects to Bharat's spiritual traditions, explaining how Avatars like

Shirdi Sai Baba have spread the values of Love, Truth, Honesty, Devotion etc.

among the devotees. He appealed to the devotees of Baba and the Swamijis to

not only practice these virtues, but also spread them as they are of universal

relevance (Detailed report appears elsewhere).

Sri D.V, Murthy, in his speech, recollected how he came under the influence of

Sai Baba and his meetings with the Apostles of Baba, H. H. Sri Narasimha

Swamiji and Swami Kesavayaji. He hailed Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji's ideals of

Love, Bhakthi, and Saranagathi etc. He said that Swamiji was truly a 'Prema

Swarupi."

Sri R. Seshadri, who presided, recounted how although Swamiji used to disclaim

any miracles by him, still it was his grace which provided timely help and relief to

several devotees in matter of health, matrimony, employment, escape from

accidents and children for the barren. He said that it was the duty of his devotees

to remember his teachings and practice them. He also read out select sayings

from the booklet. Led by him, the gathering chanted the Universal Prayer of

Swamiji.

Air Commodore T.M.M. Raghavan, Convener of Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood,

thanked the compiler, Sri R. Seshadri for bringing out the booklet, assisted by B.

S. Gopinath and Sri D. Mahesh.

Earlier, Sri D.V.L.N. Moorthy, Secretary of Sri Sai Spiritual Centre Trust

welcomed the gathering. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed

by Sri S. Syama Rao, Secretary. Sri D. L. Radhakrishna sang the invocation.

Swami Shantananda at SSCH.H. Swami Shantananda Puri of Vasishta Guha, Himalaya visited Sri Sai

Spiritual Centre, on January 18, and stayed for a couple of days. He was

received on arrival with 'Poornakumbha' and Veda Gosha. The Swamiji gave an

interesting discourse on Gopikageetha.

The Swamiji visited Sri Sai Mandali, Malleswaram on January 19, where he was

received by the President, Sri D, V. Murthi, and the Secretary, Dr. Nagesh and

other devotees. He addressed the devotees on Krishna's 'leelas' and the value of

Sri Vishnu Sahasranama. The Mandali honored him with a 'Shawl ’ (Sesha

Vastra).

Swami Shantananda has about 40 years of experience in Vedic chanting,

meditation and 'pravachanas. He is proficient in Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil and

English. He has written a beautiful book on the philosophical significance of

Bhagavatham.

Sri Umamaheswara Rao

Sri Umamaheswara Rao, Editor of "Saiprabha" who was in Bangalore in the third

week of February visited Sri Sai Spiritual Centre thrice and had 'Satsangh' with

the devotees. Sri Rao has been propagating Sai's Teachings. He has published

eight books so far.

Sri Saipadananda Brotherhood Get-TogetherBy T. M. M. Raghavan

The Third Get-Together of members of Sri Saipadananda

Brotherhood took place on January 15, 1999, as part of Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji's Aradhana celebrations. A large number of members assembled at the

Centre in a great spirit of camaraderie and emotional fervor. The members must

have been thinking of Swamiji with single-minded devotion, one could feel the

aura of Swamiji as though he was present amidst his devotees in his astral form

and splendor.

The proceedings started with a prayer song by Smt. Malathi most appropriately

dedicated to Swamiji. In the absence of Sri. R. Parthasarathy, Chief Patron of the

Brotherhood, Sri. R. Seshadri, Patron, was requested to occupy the chair and

conduct the proceedings. The members mourned the demise of the following

members during the year after Sri Seshadri recalled their services for the

spreading of Baba's and Swamiji's teachings and recounted their association with

the Centre.

1. Sri. T. Kesava Rao

2. Lt. Col. Nimbalkar

3. Smt. Saraswathi Amma and

4. Sri. S. Shamanna

Sri Seshadri welcoming the members said that in the case of Swamiji, one is

never tired of describing him as a unique modern saint, since Swamiji was

indeed unique with his simplicity, creed of love for everyone, total absence of

ego, emphasis on surrender to Baba and disclaiming his part in any miraculous

recovery from disease or relief from distress and problems although they must

have happened by his grace only.

Air Comde. Raghavan, Convener of the Brotherhood, read out the messages

received from Sri R. Parthasarathy,

Sri C. V. Bhaskara Rao, Sri M. Rangachary, Sri. G. R. Inamdar and many others

wishing the Brotherhood meeting all success. Sri Parthasarathy had written

about the miraculous darshan of Swamiji which he had just before his eye

operation and how the operation was a success with Swamiji's grace. The

members were thrilled to hear the experience and there was a spontaneous

emotional applause. For ‘he benefit of the readers, the experience has been

reproduced elsewhere in this issue.

The Annual Report was submitted by the Convenor. He explained that due to the

pre occupation of the Centre with the renovation project, some of the planned

things could not be carried out. However,

lectures and some special programmes

were arranged. He had informed that Sri

Seshadri has compiled a Booklet on the

selected sayings of Swamiji entiteled “Thus

Spake Saipadananda”, in accordance with the

decision taken at the last meeting of the

Brotherhood and the book was being

released at a function the same evening. He indicated that a special function in

the nature of a seminar was being planned during Swamiji's birthday celebrations

or during Guru Poornima celebrations.

Dr. P. S. Narayana Rao, Dr. B. K. Raghuprasad, Sri D. V. Murthy, Dr Nagesh,

Major Ramamurthy, Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar and Sri B.S. Krishnamurthy

Saipadananda Brotherhood PledgeWe will truly and faithluflly follow the teachings of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji in our lives and endeavour our best to spread the message of Swamiji amongst our family members neighbours and friends.

participated in the discussions that followed and many valuable suggestions were

made for broadening the activities of the Brotherhood.

All the members chanted in unison Swamiji's Universal Prayer and also took the

Brotherhood Pledge.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Sri S. Syama Rao, Secretary of

SSSC.

Rumi's AnswerA seeker asked the Sufi Jalaluddin Rumi if the Koran was a good book to read.

He replied, "You should rather ask yourself if you are in a state to profit from it."

A Christian mystic used to say of the Bible. 'However useful a menu, it is not

good for eating."

To enjoy eternal bliss there is no other way than to attune your mind with God by constantly chanting His holy name with all love and devotion. God is love and He dwells in your heart.

- Swamy Ramdas

Exciting Experience of an AuthorSri R. Parthasarathy, Author of 'Apostle of Love’ and 'God who walked on Earth,

and ardent devotee of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji recounts how Swamiji protected

him during a major operation some months back, in his message to the

Saipadananda Brotherhood Annual Meeting, which he could not attend owing to

indisposition.

The contents of the letter are as follows:

Dear Sai Bandhus,

I offer you my hearty greetings on this important occasion when you are

assembled as members of the Brotherhood to exchange experiences and renew

your faith and surrender at the feet of our Guru, Radhakrishna Swamiji and seek

ways and means to propagate his message and teachings. I am happy to learn

from the convener, Air Commodore Raghavan that our membership is growing

and there is greater awareness of what Swamiji stood for and how he brought

Sai Baba nearer to our hearts.

I wish to share with you an exciting experience I had of Swamiji's living presence

and how he protects his devotees day and night. Two months ago I was in

hospital for a major operation and I went through a number of tests before the

surgery. I was praying to Swamiji during the tests and imagine my joy when I saw

Swamiji's figure blessing me even while I was undergoing the tests, and more

miraculous than anything else when I was on the operating table and before I lost

consciousness under anesthesia I could see Swamiji's figure on the wall nearby

extending his protective hands. That, Swamiji saved me was clear when the

operation was not only successful but it was, painless even after the anesthesia

had worn off and there was no complication. Swamiji again proved to me he is

God and I shall always worship him as such.

Come on! Sai Bandhus let us sing the glory of our Master and let us spread his

message of love and compassion all over the country. We are all children of

Swamiji and his living presence is a guarantee that no harm will come to us if our

faith is strong and unbreakable.

Once again I offer you my greetings and offer my best wishes for the success of

your proceedings.

Twentieth year of Mahasamadhi of H. H. Sri Radhakrishna SwamijiS. Syatna Rao

To commemorate the 20th Year of Mahasamadhi of H.H. Radhakrishna Swamiji, it is proposed to perform pooja to the holy Padukas of H.H. Sri

Radhakrishna Swamiji, along with chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama, Ashtakshari

Nama Japa and Ashtotharam to the TRINITY - Sri Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha

Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, from February 1999 to January 2000, in

some Sai institutions and some temples connected with Swamiji's Sai Prachar

work.

The inaugural function was held on 28th February 1999 (Sunday) at Shirdi Sai

Baba Satsangh, Velu Mudaliar Street, Kamaraj Road. H.H. Sri Narasimha Baba

of Karur inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp.

The devotees from Sri Sai Spiritual Centre and the members of the Shirdi Sai

Baba Satsangh participated in chanting Sahasranama.

Mrs. and Mr. C. Govindaraj performed the pooja to the holy Padukas. All the

devotees joined in the Bhasmarchana to Sri Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji-

and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji.

Earlier Sri Sai Natarajan welcomed the devotees. Sri R. Seshadri, President, Sri

Sai Spiritual Centre, spoke on the occasion about Swamiji and on the efficacy of

Vishnu Sahasranama.

The second monthly program was held at Sri Sai Mandali, Malleswaram on 28th March 1999. The third monthly program will be held at Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, Hysodlour, South Kodagu - 471249 on Saturday 17th April, 1999.

Sri Sivanesan Swamiji's Third MahasamadhiBy D. V. Murthy

A three-day program had been organised to commemorate the third

Mahasamadhi of Poojya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji at Shirdi from 12th to 14th

February 1999. The venue was Swamiji's Samadhi located at Rui-Nigaji Road,

about 3 km from Shirdi. The Sthal is the property of Maher Dhun Endowments

Project to commemorate Swamiji's life and work, which earned him thousands of

devotees from all over the country.

The program was inaugurated by Sri Madhukar Joshi, a longstanding Trustee of

Sri Sai Baba Sansthan and disciple of H.B.P. Das Guru Maharaj, the well-known

missionary, who had been selected by Sri Sai Nath himself to spread His

teachings.

In an inspiring talk in the early morning hours of 12th February, Sri Joshi traced

his connection many years ago with Swamiji whom they used to call Mauni Baba

and who used to toil day and night in the upkeep of Dwarakamayi Masjid and

Chavadi. In his own inimitable way, Swamiji served Sri Sai. Sri Joshi described

Sri Sainath as the one who came to the aid of the devotees in distress as Lord

Krishna helped Draupadi at the time of her distress when Dushasana attempted

to disrobe her in the open gathering of King's Durbar.

One should not ask Baba for any material benefits as He alone knows what is

best to his devotees. No bargaining whatsoever should be attempted. He

mentioned the example of a lady who got a gold necklace by Baba's Grace and

not satisfied pleaded for some other ornament too. Speaking for himself, Sri

Joshi said that Baba has provided him what all is needed. He congratulated Smt.

Zarine Taraporevala, who has taken up the stupendous task of providing a fitting

memorial to her Guru, Poojya Sivanesan Swamiji. The accent is more on SEVA

than rituals. Thereafter Sri Chandrakant Shastryji of Bombay and Baroda took

over and the Foundation Stone laying ceremony of East and North Mahadwaras

were done by Sri Hanumanth Reddy of Shirdi and Sri Minoo Sethna of Bombay

and H.H. Mauni Baba of Varanasi and Kum. Shyamali Gondkar of Shirdi

respectively.

This was followed by the most solemn and important event namely, the

inauguration of the new DHUNI which has been constructed according to Vaastu

as well Shastric injunctions. Parsis, who are traditional fire worshippers regard

Agni as Mitra, which name is also used in Hindu Rituals. After elaborate Vedic

rituals, the Dhuni was lit by the leading worshippers Shri Smt. Madhukar Joshi

and Sri- R. Seshadri, President, Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore, Smt. & Sri

Mohan Jayakar, Solicitor and Trustee of Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan.

After inauguration of Dhuni by Smt. and Sri. Madhukar Joshi and Sri R. Seshadri,

President, Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore, there was a short break for light

refreshments.

In the next session, at the auspicious MUHURAT Sri Chandrakanth Sastriji

conducted the rites for bore well drilling at the pre-selected spot. H.H. Mauni

Baba of Varanasi was the Yajaman of the ritual. The drilling was started just

before the commencement of Rahukal.

The planting of the Hybrid coconut seedling brought from Karnataka was done by

Sri D. V. Murthy, President, Sri Sai Mandali, Bangalore and Sri Suresh Ghai of

New Delhi and Vandana Bhalla of Bangalore.

The opening of the free alternate Medicine Clinic was done by Shri Motilal Gupta

of New Delhi-Faridabad, who incidentally is a qualified Homoeopath. There was

a large gathering of villagers to avail the benefits, who were given free treatment.

The concluding session of the forenoon took place in the special shamiana

erected for the purpose amidst sylvan surroundings. Sri R. Seshadri took the

opportunity to offer 'Sesha Vastras to H.H. Mouni Baba, Smt. Zarine

Taraporevala, Sri Varadarajan and Dr. Vinay Chitluri. He also released the book

"God's Rainbow", a compilation of events in the life of Poojya Sri Sivanesan

Swamiji at Shirdi compiled by Smt. Zarine Taraporevala, which is highly

informative and brings out hitherto unknown aspects and events in Swamiji's life-

work. A cassette 'Sai Bavani' by devotee singer Kadkade was also released by

Dr. Vinay Chitluri.

Smt. Zarine Taraporevala spoke thanking all those who had come over from

many parts of the country and made the event a success. Many of the devotees

and others were honored with shawls and mementos. There was devotional

music.

On behalf of the visiting devotees, Sri R. Seshadri and Sri D. V. Murthy thanked

Smt. Zarine Taraporevala and other organizers for the excellent arrangements

made on the occasion and prayed for Baba's and Poojya Swamiji's continued

blessings on the project.

The Shirdi Sansthan arranged for special darshan on February 23, for Smt.

Zarine and Sri Chandrakant Shastriji and also honored program them with

'shawls' and garlands. Dr. and Mrs. Kirtane honored also similarly program.

Devotional music was nicely rendered by Smt. Manik Moghe Pandit Rao in the

evening. A Free Camp for the Hearing Handicapped was inaugurated by Sri

Bose, Hyderabad, and Sri Ashok Khambekar, Shirdi, in the morning of February

14. The camp was conducted by Dr. Milind Kirtane and his colleagues. Dr.

Jyotsna Kirtane and Ms. Savinder Kaur assisted in the arrangements.

Gopal Kala was played on February 15, as a fitting finale to the beautiful

program. Pooja being offered to the 'Samadhi' of Poojya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji.

Smt. Zarine Taraporewala (extreme left) and Sri and Smt. Madhukar Joshi (right)

are seen.

Pooja being offered to the ‘Samadhi’ of Poojya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji. Smt. Zarine Taraporewala (extreme left) and Sri and Smt.Madhukar Joshi (right)

are seen

To the other shoreSmt. Shanta Dudhaiya

Smt. Shanta, wife of Sri Shivaji K. Dudhaiya, Retd. Addl. Director, Electronics

and Radar Development Est., Bangalore, attained the Holy feet of Sai Baba on

Feb. 28. She was an expert in Cookery and Embroidery, having won many

awards and honors. She had helped many sickly people through her home

remedies and had also trained several people in Cookery and Embroidery free of

charge. She was 57 and leaves her husband and only son.

Ever since she landed at Bangalore 30 years ago, she had totally surrendered to

Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. She used to offer regular prayers at Sri

Sai Spiritual Centre and participate in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama recitation.

The family members had been protected by Swamiji on numerous occasions. In

one such incidents, her son, Sanjeev, planned to visit a famous circus in the city

the next evening. That night, Swamiji showed in Sanjeev's dream many world

class circus shows, including the one which he proposed to see and asked him

not to go to the circus the next evening. It is an agonizing memory to

Bangaloreans, that the circus tent caught fire, killing several people. Sanjeev

thus escaped. Her husband was also saved during a visit to the U.S.

"We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another; but to see one another through."

- Pefer De Vries