sai baba yes7e

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REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL Maharashtra and Goa celebrate Bhagawan’s 87th Birthday with a multitude of service activities! LOVINGLY YOURS 02 Neil starts his internship only to be rebuked on the first day. Can he ease the tension? DIARY OF A SEEKER 05 What happens when you’re face-to-face with your country’s archenemy? Read a thrilling recount! CITY ZEN 04 Someone does care about women and children. Presenting our award-winning project! CHANGING SOCIETY 03 A younger brother tames his elder brother’s arrogance and teaches him a lesson to remember. SOUL STORIES 08 Presenting several opportunities to browse the Innernet! HAVE A GOD-DAY 08 Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba A tiger and a teenager travel across the ocean and meet God; we learn valuable lessons! MULTIPLEX MUSINGS 06 A seagull reminds us that there is more to life than fighting with each other for scraps of food. INK IMPRINTS 07 Prof. Anil Kumar takes devotees across the sands, to reveal the significance of bhakti and bhajans. CAMPUS COLLECTION 07 I magine an eight-year- old girl holding an exhibition of her oil paintings. Now imagine the little girl giving away half of what she earned from the exhibition, to support a good cause. The YES! magazine received a generous donation from VIANCA SAWANT, a petite yet spunky child who has been blessed with the fine art of making empty canvases dance to life. A student of Oberoi International School, Mumbai, Vianca held her first exhibition on October 21, 2012. Far from being the awkward work of a child, her paintings are a confident display of delightful hues. Needless to say, every last painting was sold within the first hour of her exhibition! We thank the little girl with the big heart for making this issue so special! Youth in Eternal Service Happy Makar Sankranti! January 14, 2013 “Never have hatred toward any religion. Honor and respect all religions equally. Even as you are a citizen of your motherland but respect all countries, also respect all religions equally.” Issue 7 Jan - Feb 2013 A Magazine by the Sai Youth of Maharashtra and Goa Issue not for sale

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Page 1: Sai baba Yes7e

REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL

Maharashtra and Goa celebrate Bhagawan’s 87th Birthday with a multitude of service activities!

LOVINGLY YOURS

02

Neil starts his internship only to be rebuked on the first day. Can he ease the tension?

DIARY OF A SEEKER

05

What happens when you’re face-to-face with your country’s archenemy? Read a thrilling recount!

CITY ZEN

04

Someone does care about women and children. Presenting our award-winning project!

CHANGING SOCIETY

03

A younger brother tames his elder brother’s arrogance and teaches him a lesson to remember.

SOUL STORIES

08

Presenting several opportunities to browsethe Innernet!

HAVE A GOD-DAY

08

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

A tiger and a teenager travel across the ocean and meet God; we learn valuable lessons!

MULTIPLEX MUSINGS

06

A seagull reminds us that there is more to life than fighting with each other for scraps of food.

INK IMPRINTS

07

Prof. Anil Kumar takes devotees across the sands, to reveal the significance of bhakti and bhajans.

CAMPUS COLLECTION

07

Imagine an eight-year-old girl holding an

exhibition of her oil paintings. Now imagine the little girl giving away half of what she earned from the exhibition, to support a good cause.

The YES! magazine received a generous donation from VIANCA SAWANT, a petite yet spunky child who has been blessed with the fine art of making empty canvases dance to life. A student of Oberoi International School, Mumbai, Vianca held her first exhibition on October 21, 2012. Far from being the awkward work of a child, her paintings are a confident display of delightful hues. Needless to say, every last painting was sold within the first hour of her exhibition!

We thank the little girl with the big heart for making this issue so special!

Youth in Eternal Service

Happy Makar Sankranti! January 14, 2013

“Never have hatred toward any religion. Honor and respect all religions equally. Even as you are a citizen of your motherland but respect all countries, also respect all religions equally.”

Issue 7 Jan - Feb 2013 A Magazine by the Sai Youth of Maharashtra and Goa Issue not for sale

Page 2: Sai baba Yes7e

LOVINGLY YOURS

Health and Hygiene Camp in Slums, Goa

Nara

yan S

eva,

Boisa

rEy

e Cam

p, Ak

olaNarayan Seva, Mumbai

Palki Procession, WashimWinter Sun, Goa

Winter Sun, Mumbai

Narayan Seva at Lady Harding Govt. Hospital, Akola

Bhagawan’s 87th Birthday was celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm in all districts of Maharashtra and Goa. In keeping with Bhagawan’s Divine Dictat, ‘Your Life is My Message’, devotees lovingly engaged in a multitude of humanitarian activities; Narayan Seva, Winter Sun (distributing blankets on cold winter nights), Eye Camps and Healthcare awareness were among the services rendered. We present snapshots of the blissful moments.

Page 3: Sai baba Yes7e

Mothers, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said, are the pillars of our

homes, of society, of the nation and all of humanity.With the Divine Mission to safeguard the health and wellbeing of every mother living in the rural regions of the country, Baba envisioned and implemented the ‘Mother and Childcare’ project as an integral part of the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme.

Since the year 2009, trained volunteers have been visiting villages of Maharashtra and Goa and lovingly educating mothers and to-be mothers on the importance of staying in good health. A holistic programme, ‘Mother and Childcare’ covers the journey of a young girl from puberty to menopause and that of a child from birth to 12 years of age. With an emphasis on nutrition, medical fitness, spiritual development, and social welfare, the programme aims to empower women and society as a whole.

Every two weeks, a dedicated team of five volunteers visits villages in every district of Maharashtra and Goa. Before beginning the Mother and Childcare programme, volunteers conduct a

‘Family Survey’ to identify pregnant and

lactating mothers in the village. A ‘Child Survey’

is also conducted to identify ill and malnourished children.

Conducted in local languages for ease of understanding, the Mother and Childcare programme comes to life with interesting visual aids such as posters, charts and videos. A total of thirteen chapters are extensively covered in approximately eight months. During sessions on puberty, pregnancy, and neonatal and postnatal care, several case studies are shared with the participants. Experts in the team also address the various gynaecological problems that the women face. In addition to this, the programme highlights the many dangers of chewing gutka & tobacco. Cancer and HIV/AIDS awareness sessions and medical camps are conducted regularly.

But ‘Mother and Childcare’ isn’t all serious education. Our volunteers throw godd bharai (baby shower) parties for expectant mothers. The whole village comes together to celebrate the joyful occasion. In a country where girls are still frowned upon, this little celebration subtly reinforces that every child is a gift from God.

Special Bal Vikas classes are conducted for children who are five years of age

and above. Value-based education is imparted through engaging storytelling sessions, puppet shows and even art and craft activities.

With Swami’s Grace, 30 trainers have made tremendous progress in 33 villages across Maharashtra and Goa. As many as 2,200 women have benefitted from the programme till date.

In 2010, the Mother and Childcare initiative was honoured with the renowned ‘Spirit of Humanity Award’ (Women’s Health category), which was conferred upon the SSSO by Americare India Foundation. This award acknowledges outstanding efforts in the field of medical services undertaken to serve humanity.

Four years since they began, the devoted M&C team continues to strive to empower village women with self-awareness, medical knowledge and the invaluable gift of good health.

Have you heard of Arunachalam

Muruganantham? His is an inspiring story of how a man braved all odds in a woman’s world—and emerged victorious.

A workshop helper who lived below the poverty line in Coimbatore, south India, Arunachalam one day discovered that his wife Shanti used dirty rags instead of a clean sanitary napkin during her menstrual cycle—only to save money for milk for the family.

Appalled, Arunachalam decided to make a low-cost sanitary napkin. Of

course, getting women to try out his product and give him feedback was virtually impossible. So Arunachalam decided to procure used napkins as material for his research. Horrified by his ‘deplorable mission’, both Shanti and his mother abandoned him.

Arunachalam then did something shocking. He wore the sanitary napkins himself! He used animal blood for his experiments and kept at his research for four and half years. Finally, Arunachalam had a low-cost sanitary napkin that was both comfortable and hygienic.

In 2009, Arunachalam was awarded the Best Innovation National Award by

President Smt. Pratibha Patil. Having patented his machine,

Arunachalam took it into villages, where he trained women on how to make the pads themselves. Thus, he improved their hygiene conditions and also created employment opportunities for them within the village itself!

Despite inventing such breakthrough technology, the man who lived below the poverty line did not commercialise his venture. Instead, Arunachalam vowed to bring hygienic, low-cost sanitary napkins to every woman in every village of India.

On Republic Day, we salute the spirit of this true son of the soil.

A Poor Man Makes a Praiseworthy Effort Towards Women’s Health.Employment Follows as ‘Padded’ Incentive!

CHANGING SOCIETY

ArunachalamMuruganantham

Spirit of Humanity award conferred on theSri Sathya Sai Organisation, in 2010

Page 4: Sai baba Yes7e

CITY ZEN

04

Memoirs from the Wagah-Attari BorderMemoirs from the Wagah-Attari BorderImagine there’s no countries; it isn’t hard

to do; nothing to kill or die for and no religion too; imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one.

John Lennon’s evocative lyrics of the classic ‘Imagine’ come to my mind as I describe the experience of participating in the Beating Retreat at the Wagah-Attari border—the line that separates neighbouring countries India and Pakistan.

The day was October 11, 2012; the time, 4:35 PM. As I walked from the car park to the Border Security Force (BSF) enclosure, Jinnah’s face grew larger with every step. I soon realised I was staring at the entrance to Pakistan. When one is face to face with an ‘archenemy’, one experiences myriad emotions: nerve-tingling excitement, electrifying tension and above all, fiery patriotism.

Such was our state of mind as my cousins and I weaved our way through the massive crowds till we got right up to the front. Imagine our surprise when we saw women—foreigners too—dancing on the parade path, to the zestful patriotic songs Rang De Basanti and Chak De India. Aching to join in the festivity, we raced down the stairs and jumped into the fray. Even before the shock sank in, we were shouting “YAY!” with our fists pumping in the air and our feet six inches off the ground.

It was a historical moment—of epic proportions. We were dancing at the Wagah-Attari Border. We were dancing

for our country! For the first time in our lives we felt SO Indian. Love for our motherland charged up through our veins and we hugged each other tightly and laughed through our tears.

We had barely caught our breath when the guards asked the dancers to clear the path for the parade. Sitting on a wide stair, I looked around. Gandhiji smiled down on everyone from atop the imposing gate on the right. To the far left, there was Jinnah. In between were people of all ages, all religions, all communities. Traditional Rajasthani women, trendsetting jean-clad youngsters, turbaned men from the North, lungi-clad men from the South, school children in uniform, and even tourists from far away lands. It was such a beautiful sight. The multi-coloured masses truly represented Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s diverse yet united India.

A tall soldier from the BSF took a mike and shouted into it, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai!” The crowd roared in unison. “Vande Mataram!” he boomed, and the land erupted with the passionate voices of the people. “Jai Hind,” he thundered and thousands of voices rose as one.

The atmosphere was electrifying. Seven BSF soldiers—two of whom were women—stepped out onto the parade path. The ladies marched forward first. (In the year 2010, the BSF posted women at the Wagah-Attari Border and they have since been an integral part of the Beating Retreat.) I felt a surge of pride to see both women carry out the duty entrusted to

them with such unerring confidence. The male soldiers too were a powerhouse of passion and energy. As the crowds cheered madly, the soldiers kicked their legs high in the air till their knees almost touched their foreheads. They marched off, spines s t r a i g h t , c h e e k s qu i ve r i n g w i t h restrained emotion.

After the high-octane march past, the flags of India and Pakistan were ceremoniously lowered and folded neatly with military honour. The soldiers then carried our folded flag into the BSF building.

The whole ceremony took only a few minutes. Yet, the impact was massive.

A storm of thoughts brews in my mind as I recollect the experience. One only needs to stand on a high-tension military border to fully realise how valuable life is—and how similar we really are. In our constant tussle for supremacy, we forget that we all belong to God’s family; that we are connected by Divinity that radiates in all our hearts. We draw distinctions—deep lines that separate us and contort us from spiritual beings into fragments of fear, anger, jealousy and greed.

On January 26, 2013, as we enter the 64th year of being a democratic Republic, may we set aside our differences, our biases and our ill will towards our neighbours. In the battle between Us and Them, may Compassion win each time. John Lennon sang for a peaceful world without borders and religions. Yes, his dream is Utopian. But as they say, “You gotta have a dream to make a dream come true.”

Page 5: Sai baba Yes7e

On the first day of my prestigious summer internship, I entered my boss’ room to receive a glowering glare in response to my smiling “Good morning, Sir.” “Meet Mr. Dave,” he replied brusquely. “I wondered what had happened. My world seemed to be crumbling around me as I turned to look at Mr. Dave.

“Mr. Neil,” said Mr Dave, curtly. “When were you supposed to join?” “10 AM; the 20th of April.” “Today,” he said, pausing for effect, “is the 21st.” My head started spinning. I gulped. A lame, “I’m sorry, Sir” escaped my lips. But, Mr Dave wasn’t impressed. He curtly handed me a paper with my duties and ordered me out of the room.

I felt ROTTEN. I glanced through my list. The words appeared to blur; even my future looked fuzzy now! They’re already biased against me, I thought. A bad beginning is like a battle half-lost.

Much to my chagrin, I couldn’t get myself to think clearly or work properly! I tried saying sorry to my boss too. But all he did was to find mistakes in everything I did.

When Grandpa found out what was wrong, he asked me but one question. Almost at once, I knew the SOLUTION to all my problems.

The next day, I reached office before everyone else and started my pending work. So

engrossed was I, that I failed to greet my boss when he entered. He’ll surely punish me for that, I thought warily. Then, grandpa’s words rang in my mind.

I slogged all day. Everyday. I don’t know how exactly, but slowly the tables started TURNING!

First, the peon came unasked-for with some coffee. Next, my colleagues offered me delicacies from their dabbas. One of my clients actually said, “If I don’t agree to your offer, you’ll nag me like my wife until I do. So, I’ll do whatever you say.”

One morning, reaching early as usual, I realized I had no pending work. I walked to the store-room which was in total disarray. I began organizing and labeling the papers each morning until everything was in order. Next, I started decorating the canteen which was the only unpainted area of the office. Nothing bothered me now. I was HAPPY. I was doing the RIGHT thing.

The last day of my internship dawned. My boss sent for me. I entered the room. It was completely dark. Suddenly, the lights came on. Before me was the entire staff with a huge cake: “We’ll MISS our best intern!” written on it. Grandpa had only asked, “Are you doing your Dharma?” I’ve found the key to the future, my Dharma… Duty with Love is Desirable; Love without Duty is Divine!

DIARY OF A SEEKER

05

Much progress has been made since we introduced Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in the Sep-Oct 2012

issue of YES!. Already, eight drought-afflicted villages across various districts in Maharashtra have been identified as requiring immediate implementation of Rainwater Harvesting systems.

A four-point agenda has been drawn up for each of these villages: 1. Recharge existing wells and bore wells that are dry and/or unusable; 2. Desilt and repair existing dams; 3. Build rooftop RWH systems and bunds, and 4. Create storage tanks for harvested rain water.

In order to ensure smooth implementation and follow-up, 26 Sai Jal Mitras (project co-ordinators) have been appointed for every district. These co-ordinators will oversee the project and liaise with the villagers, authorities and the SSSO.

On December 21 and 22, 2012, the SSSO conducted for

Catching the RainCatching the Rain the Sai Jal Mitras a two-day training programme on ‘How to Practically Implement Rain Water Harvesting’. On December 23, the team visited Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahmednagar. Ralegaon Siddhi has for several years been a model Indian village where RWH has been successfully implemented.

Imagine how delighted our team was when Shri Anna Hazare agreed to spend half an hour with them, all the while providing valuable inputs on his experiments with Rainwater Harvesting.

Armed with their training and tips from Shri Anna Hazare, our team is now set to implement RWH in the eight villages. Over the next two months, detailed surveys will be conducted in order to identify additional villages that require RWH.

Untewadi, a village in Sangli district, has already been fitted with a rooftop RWH structure, which is connected to a recharge pit.

If you are interested in knowing more about Rainwater Harvesting or even volunteering for the project, write to us at [email protected]

Page 6: Sai baba Yes7e

I’ve been a Calvin and Hobbes fan for the major part of my life. For those of us who

are unfamiliar with Bill Watterson’s comic strip, Calvin is a preposterous six-year old boy in possession of a ragdoll tiger, Hobbes. In the absence of adults, Hobbes roars to life; while in their presence, he’s just a regular stuffed toy.

Until the last week of November 2012, Hobbes was as close as I ever come to a tiger. Suddenly, life threw open a cage door and I found myself face to face (in terrifying 3D no less) with Richard Parker.

Now Richard Parker is no kitten. A full-grown carnivorous Bengal tiger, he got his name from a mixed-up case of bad paper management (his name is actually Thirsty. His caretaker’s name is Richard Parker). Pi (and not ‘pee’) Patel got his name from a French swimming pool, Piscine.

Destiny threw the two of them together one stormy night, and the rest, as they say, is one magnificent film.

As I clung on to the edge of my seat while the massive Pacific Ocean churned in front of me, I made mental note of all the lessons Pi and Parker taught me. Today, I share these with you.

In the Company of an Animal, Stay HumaneAs mentioned earlier, Richard Parker is a

blood-thirsty carnivore. It’s quite in order for Pi to kill him, to defend himself. He even tries. While he has his axe up high, Pi looks straight into the eyes of Parker. He hesitates and then throws down his axe. The tiger is in as much distress as Pi. He needs saving from the sea just as Pi does. Pi realises this and decides to befriend a foe. Indeed, this is a momentous decision for Pi to make, particularly since he learned early in life that tigers kill. Such a decision can only come from a heart that is truly compassionate and a mind that knows God exists in all beings. In sparing Richard Parker’s life, Pi tames his own animal instincts, and for a moment, becomes Divine.

Even as She takes, Mother Nature GivesSuddenly orphaned and at the mercy of the mighty

ocean, away from all things materialistic, Pi experiences God, in all His Glory. Bolts of lightning, flying fish, dolphins, a killer whale, sharks, jellyfish—Mother Nature keeps Pi enthralled even as he tries to fight Her.

Surrender. Then, thank the Lord.Shipwrecked with only the harsh sun

for company, Pi and Parker are pushed to the edge of extreme hunger and thirst. Dehydrated to the bone, Pi shouts his surrender to the empty skies above. Just when Parker is about to pounce on Pi, the ocean throws a large fish and several smaller flying fish into the boat. Pi eats hungrily and then goes down on his knees and

tearfully thanks Lord Vishnu for appearing in His Matsya Avatar (The Lord’s incarnation as a fish). This is a moving moment, for even in his time of misery, Pi remembers to thank God, who quite obviously Is, right there. Having heard His devotee’s call of surrender, the Lord rushes to save His bhakta. 06

MULTIPLEX MUSINGS

In the Home of God, There is Room for All Religions

Pi’s mother has a short yet poignant presence in his life. While most mothers draw deep lines between good and bad, Mrs. Patel is surprisingly compassionate about her son’s exploration of different religions. Her empathetic ‘Love All’ serenity is perhaps the most wonderful gift she could pass on to her son. Without this lesson, Pi might never have discovered the courage to cajole a killer cat.

Believe in God’s Perfect TimingAfter being alone at sea for 227 days, Pi is sure he and

Parker will die. Suddenly, their boat is washed up onto a ‘floating island’ abundant with meerkats and juicy seaweeds. While Pi eats and enjoys his well-deserved break, he chances upon a flower that has a human tooth embedded within its closed petals. Pi realises that the beautiful island turns carnivorous at night. Quickly, he leaves, after having stocked his boat with a pile of seaweed for himself and meerkats for Richard Parker. Often, God grants us rest after bringing us through an arduous task; then, He shows us a sign to move on. We must read the signs and trust His Doing.

Say ‘Thank You’Pi is devastated that Richard Parker does not thank

him for saving his life. He sobs like a baby when the tiger strolls off into the forest without so much as looking back at the young man who fed him fresh fish and stroked and cradled his massive striped face when he was about to die. Even years later, the memory of this incident brings tears to Pi’s eyes. This poignant scene serves as a reminder that our ungracious behaviour is often the cause of another’s heartache. Hence, we should watch our actions and our words and ensure they are kind. And yes, we should thank all those who unconditionally keep us afloat on stormy days.

Even Grief is GodHad it not been for Richard Parker, Pi would certainly

have died at sea. His fear of the tiger kept him awake and alert and thus receptive to the call of the moment. Pi acted instinctively, as if in tune with some gigantic unseen force that kept him going. One could say that Richard Parker could well be Goddess Durga Herself, who comes to teach Pi how to live—and love—in the face of adversity. When She has played Her part, the Mother leaves, quietly. Although the child mourns his or her loss, s/he ultimately learns that everyone—be it friend or foe, man or animal—comes especially to assist us in our spiritual journey across the vast bhavasagar of Life. Who we keep with us on our boat, decides our fate. So choose wisely, and above all, do not lose hope.

If we keep in mind all that we learned from Pi, every Richard Parker, no matter what his strength or ferocity, will most certainly turn into a harmless ragdoll tiger in our enlightened presence.

It’s Not Alwaysa Sweet Pie,

This Life

Page 7: Sai baba Yes7e

07

Impri

nts in

the Sa

ndIm

prints

in the

Sand

ink imprints

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is an unforgettable book. Written by Richard Bach in the early 1970s, this spiritual page turner has been reprinted several times over the years. It tells an inspiring tale of a young seagull who stretches his wings and his imagination, to fly to supreme heights.

The soul (pun intended) ‘discoverer’ in his pack, Jonathan flies for the sheer joy of flying. Unrestrained by the limits of his body, he learns how to somersault, dive and turn at blazing speeds —speeds that are technically impossible for gulls. He dares himself every day, to do the impossible and achieve the unthinkable.

Having lifted himself out of ignorance, Jonathan fights hard to convince the other gulls that there is a higher purpose to their lives—that they are not limited to screeching and fighting for a few scraps of food and drops to drink.

He reminds each gull that s/he is a limitless creation of excellence, intelligence and skill.

Do they regard his breakthrough discoveries favourably or otherwise? Read the book to find out! Also discover how gifted

gulls take Jonathan to the pinnacle of self-awareness and self-perfection.

Even forty-two years after this book was first written, Jonathan Livingston Seagull remains relevant and ever-alive. The nuggets of wisdom

revealed on its pages are sure to reinvigorate fatigued souls who are struggling to fight off

boredom, fear and anger everyday. Dear Readers, in this little book you will find *magic* and

the infinite power to keep discovering yourself—a little more everyday—so you can ultimately recognise the real, unlimited and divine YOU. Take wing!

We Choose Our Next World Through What We Learn in This One

Enjoying an inspiring ‘Walk the Talk’ session

campus collection

Prof. Anil Kumar, who is best known for translating Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Divine Discourses into English, is also

the ex-Principal of Sri Sathya Sai College, Brindavan. Despite his hectic schedules, the professor graciously agreed

to visit Goa with the sole purpose of spending three days with devotees.

On December 19, 2012, the renowned professor gave three public talks entitled ‘A Tribute to the Legacy of Sathya Sai Baba’. In his inimitable witty style, Shri Anil Kumar narrated personal experiences of his interactions with the Lord, moving devotees to shed joyful tears while chuckling with delight.

On Decemeber 20 and 21, we were presented with the unique opportunity of walking the sands of Miramar and Colva beaches along with the professor. An invigorating beach satsang, ‘Walk the Talk’ had us sitting on the sand during the pleasant

hours of the early morning, all the while singing bhajans and discussing spirituality with Prof. Anil Kumar.

The professor explained the magnitude of Swami’s devotional song, Love is My Form, with an interesting experience: A Japanese devotee gifted a few Japanese cameras to Swami. Swami, as always kept nothing for Himself and gifted the cameras to all those who were present. Bhagawan then asked whether everyone had received the cameras. When devotees replied in the affirmative, Swami said, “Not yet. Please call the cooks from inside!” He then gifted the cameras to the cooks and went on to call for the maids!

Only Bhagawan can demonstrate such Divine Love, which is not bound by status, education or class.

As we sang bhajans on the beach, we spotted a foreign couple swaying to the melody. Prof. Anil Kumar asked them what they found appealing about the bhajans and they promptly replied that the bhajans were ‘rhythmic and engaging.’

Prof. Anil Kumar then explained the potency of Sai Bhajans by narrating another divine experience: While he was sailing in Mexico, on a boat named Sai Satasang, a marriage party happened to sail up alongside. On hearing the bhajans, the marriage party abandoned their own festivities and joined in the bhajans!

Before he took our leave, the youthful and energetic professor exhorted us to not be stiff, formal and heavy with burden. He reminded us to be as light, happy and cheerful as a child. We thank you Sir, for all that you shared with us!

Page 8: Sai baba Yes7e

HAVE A GOD-DAY

08

soul stories

Dharmaraja Yudhistira always followed the path of virtue. One day, a poor man asked the king for financial

assistance. To him, Yudhishtira said: “Come tomorrow, I will give you what you want.”

Bhima, Yudhishtira’s brother, overheard this promise. At once, he ordered the royal retinue to gather for a meeting. He announced that the next day would be celebrated as a day of victory.

Everyone was excited! “A day of victory!” they exclaimed! “Who is the victorious one? What has he conquered?” they wondered.

The news quickly reached Dharmaraja. He asked his brother to explain why he made that announcement.

Bhima said to Yudhistira: “We have gained victory over death for twenty-four hours!” “Victory over death?” asked the stunned retinue. “But there has been neither war nor illness.”

Bhima continued, “Dharmaraja told a poor man that he will help him tomorrow. Obviously, Dharmaraja is certain that he will be alive for the next twenty-four hours. Is this not a victory?”

Yudhishtira realised his folly. He sent for the poor man and gave him the aid he needed.

Significance of the story: Act and live in the Present. Never postpone to tomorrow the good you can do today.

A Younger Brother Teaches His Elder Brother an Unforgettable Lesson

All rights reserved by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Maharashtra. This issue is not for sale.

Email us at [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/YES.Mag.SSSO

Blood Donation Camp9:30am to 12:30pm

at all centres in Maharashtra and Goa.Contact your Samithi Convenor for details.

Prophet Mohammamed's Birth Anniversary

Celebrations5:30pm to 7:00pm

DharmakshetraContact (022) 28377999

Jan

26Jan

26

Jan

27'Jevouthsav'

Youth Convention for College Students9:30 to 8:00 pm

Kusum Auditorium, ITM College Campus, VIP Road, Nanded.Call Anil Patre 99230 00025

Feb

3Feb

2

Incredible India: A Ballet by Bal Vikas (Chembur)

4:30pm to 7:00pmDharmakshetra

Contact (022) 28377999

Jan

20Rudrabhishekam2:00pm onwards

A/1 Welfare Hall, Shri Tulsiwadi, Nav Nirman

CHS, Mahalaxmi (West),Mumbai.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013