words of wisdom—from our gurujisriamruthasai.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/saj-201811.pdf ·...

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AMRUTHA VAKKULU

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‘Bhakthi’ is nothing but unconditional love towards the lord. Like the Azhwars, Acharyas, Nayanmars, scores of saints and sages like Thukaram, Surdas etc., never asked anything to be solved in their personal life to the lord. They underwent all the miseries of life, but their ‘bhakthi’ towards the lord remained undiluted. They never sought for any relief from the lord and were in fact glad to undergo all the turmoils of life. They were a classical example of divine love towards the lord free of any attachments. ***********************

W o r d s o f W i s d o m — F r o m o u r G u r u j i

Sa

i

Am

ru

th

a

Jy

ot

hi

I n s i d e t hi s i s s u e

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 8 , I s s u e

********************* If your goal is ‘god’, i promise you that you will never reach him. Most paths set goals. It will just fuel your ego and ambitions. He is not a management ‘target’ to be achieved. You cannot perform and reach him. Even ambition towards achieving oneness with god is fraught with a lot of risk and danger. Lord is indeterminate. You cannot determine him. Only something which can be determined can be goal oriented. One which is vast cannot be programmed to attain. It is sheer stupidity. Pure love without any ambition and loving god for god sake brings him to you. *******************

Words of Wisdom 1

Upcoming Events 1

Sri Sai Satcharita in our daily life

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TOWARDS THE DIVINE 3

PANCHATANTRA TALES

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32 Forms of Ganapathi (..Contd)

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Satyanarayana Pooja 6

U p c o m i n g E v e n t s

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11/13/2018 Kanda Shasti

11/22/2018 Thanksgiving Karthika Pournami Annakoot Celebration

11/23/2018 Sri Sathya Sai Baba Birthday

11/26/2018 Karthika Somavaram

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LORD’S MERCY

&

GRACE !!!

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Finding no deficiency even after testing , Kaka Mahajani’s friend and

employer, Sleep disorder of a Bhandra native , Balaji Patil Nevaskar.

********************************There are some who believe God is an illusion

and Sadhus are just humans . They do not offer dakshina to them and even ridicule the

habit. This chapter explains two such people who got transformed from their beliefs.

KAKA MAHAJANI’S FRIEND

A friend of Kaka Mahajani, who does not believe in idol worship, agreed to come to Shirdi on two conditions – that he will not bow to Sai nor offer any dakshina to Him. As they stepped into the masjid, Baba asked in a soft tone,’Why did you come, my son?’. The friend was speechless as the voice resembled exactly of his father and he immediately placed his head on Baba’s feet! When Baba did not ask for dakshina only from him, he checked with Kaka’ji whether he can also offer some money. Baba replied that since he didn’t want to give, He didn’t ask from him but if he wants to give, he may. Then He said, one has to break the ‘wall of differences’ to see each other. Then Baba bid them farewell but cautioned them of the weather. On reaching home, the friend found two birds dead inside the house and a third one just flew away. He was very happy for saving at least the third bird and thanked Baba.

KAKAJI’S EMPLOYER

Kaka Mahajani worked as a manager under one advocate named Thakker Dharmsi JedaBhai, who wanted to visit Shirdi along with Kaka’ji. He bought some dry grapes to offer to Sai. He met one Baba Saheb Tharket in the masjid and asked him the reason for his visit. Tharket replied that he has come to take darshan of Sai. He also said that he is not here

S r i S a i S a t c h a r i t a i n o u r d a i l y l i f e - S a n k a r K u m a r

to see any miracles but has seen that people go back happily after the darshan. Dharamsi offered the grapes to Baba who distributed it to all. Thakker also got some but since they were not washed, he reluctantly put a few in his mouth. They were seeded grapes and Thakker didn’t know what to do with them and put them in his pocket. He was disappointed with Sai for giving these unwashed seeded grapes when Baba once again distributed the same grapes to all. This time Thakker found there were no seeds and he even confirmed with Tharket that his grapes were seeded ones! Thakker again wished that Baba should distribute the grapes for a third time starting from kaka’ji, which also happened! When Shama introduced him to Sai as Kaka’ji’s boss, Baba said Kakaji has another real boss [Sai]! Sai then advised that one must stick to one Guru with sincerity which appeared to be a direct message to Thakker. While receiving dakshina from Kakaji, Baba said He return ten times of what people give and that He asks only from deserving people to relieve them of difficulties. Thakker also gave dakshina and returned home with conviction of Baba’s greatness.

SLEEP DISORDER

A devotee from Bhandra suffered from sleeplessness as his father used to come in his dreams scolding him for not taking good care of him. On someone’s advice, he placed some udhi on his forehead and placed the packet under his pillow before going to bed and he was rid of the bad dreams and started sleeping peacefully. He continued to do this and worshipped Baba on thursdays.

BALAJI PATIL NEVASKAR

This gentleman would sweep the streets where Baba used to walk on a daily basis for several years. After him, Radha-krishna Mayi and Abdhullah continued this work. He would send all the crops to Sai and accepted happily whatever Baba gave him back. Once and Nevas-kar’s death anniversary day, there were more guests for food than expected. Balaji’ mom advised her daughter-in-law to put some udhi in all the cooked food before serving. She did accordingly

Saiamrutham — “There are many ways leading there; there is one way also from here (Shirdi). The way is difficult. There are tigers

and wolves in the jungles on the way. The guide will take you straight to your destination, avoiding wolves, tigers and ditches etc. on the way.

If there be no guide, there is the danger of your being lost in the jungles or falling into ditches "

and to their surprise the food was sufficient to feed all the guests and there were left-overs too! This proved that ‘If you believe sincerely, everything will go well successfully’. A similar incident happened in a city called Karjat where the power of Udhi fed to the crowd which was five times over the expected.

SAI APPEARING AS A SNAKE

Once a friend of Balaji Patil visited him and there he saw a big snake in the cow-shed. When everyone panicked, Balaji brought some milk and placed it before the snake and said,’ why are you frightening us Baba? Please dring the milk and go quietly. Immediately the snake disappeared. Baba liked Balaji so much that whenever he came to Shirdi, He would give him dhoti and sarees to his family.

***************************** BOW TO SRI SAI

PEACE BE TO ALL!!

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LIFE APPLICATIONS

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Trust in Sai but never test him. Remove the wall of differ-

ences so that you can live in peace with others.

Offer Dakshina to receive ten

folds back. Trust in one Master and hold

on to him sincerely. Serve Baba sincerely and earn

his grace abudatly.

If you believe sincerely, every-thing will go well successfully.

Sri Satchidananda Sadguru

Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai !


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* T O W A R D S T H E D I V I N E * - K a v i n a y a

VRATHAM

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We are in the season of Festivals. We just enjoyed Navarathri celebrations, now Diwali or Festivals of Lights is coming up. Kandha Sashti is the next big celebration followed by Diwali, which is a celebration of Lord Muruga or Karthikeya.

Lot of devotees do Vratham for Navarathri for 9 days, and Kandha Sashti for 6 days. Taking up Vratham mostly means fasting to most people. However Vratham does not mean just fasting. Vratham is actually about taking a vow, to follow certain rules and discipline.

When starting Margazhi Vratham, Sri Andaal explains the vows that we should take during those 30 days. She says, “we will not eat ghee, drink milk, every day we will take bath, we will not decorate ourselves with kajal, we will not wear flowers, we will not do any forbidden things, we will not gossip”, and so on. She lists all of these because our minds should focus only on Lord Krishna and it should not be distracted with worldly things.

The Vratham that is done for Iyyappa is done is such a way that lots of physical discipline is followed, but the devotees are not required to fast. So, Vratham can be done with or without fasting. The main purpose of Vratham is to cleanse both our body and mind. It will not be good if we just fast, but fill our minds with unwanted things. As we fast to purify our body, likewise we must think only Divine thoughts to purify our mind. This way our Ishta Devatha will come and take abode in our pure heart with no reservations.

*** HAPPY DIWALI WISHES TO ALL ***


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LION, JACKAL AND A FOOLISH DONKEY

************************************** Karalakeswara was once a mighty lion, but with age grew weaker and was not able to leave his cave even for hunting his prey. The wise jackal who used to accompany him all the time and eat the leftovers was tired and hungry. When the jackal could not take it anymore, he approached the lion and told him that he will go out and lure some animal and then the lion can pounce on it and they can eat it together. The jackal roamed the jungle and when it went near the border of a village, he spotted a donkey gracing the grass. He slowly approached the donkey and addressed him as if they have met earlier. He told the donkey that he had become thinner than he had remembered. Donkey sadly replied that his cruel master has worked him harder and starved him and he has come into the forest in search of food. The jackal saw his opportunity and enticed the donkey saying that he knew of a place where the grass shines like emerald and he could eat all he want. Donkey quietly followed the jackal and when they neared the cave, the lion saw them coming together and couldn't control himself and came out of the cave and jumped at the donkey. The donkey was aghast for a second and then he sprinted out of there as quickly as he could. The jackal was angry and chastised the lion to control himself and to jump on the animal only when he is near him, as the lion could not jump long distances like earlier. The lion was ashamed and promised that he will do as suggested.

* P A N C H A T A N T R A T A L E S * - S a t h y a R a m k u m a r

The jackal roamed the jungle and found the donkey again. The donkey admonished the jackal that he took him to a beast and that he would have died then and there. The jackal was soft spoken and told the donkey that it is a female donkey and since the female donkey has not seen a male donkey in a long time, it pounced on him. He also asked whether the donkey could have escaped if it was any other animal like lion or tiger. The donkey was convinced and agreed to come back to the cave. This time when the pair came near the cave, the lion was patient and attacked only when the donkey was very near. Then he ate some parts of the donkey and left to drink water from a rivulet. The jackal was also hungry and ate the brain of the donkey. Lion came back to eat again and saw the brain missing. He was angry and shouted at the jackal for eating the brain. The jackal looked at the lion and replied that the donkey doesn't have a brain and asked the lion if the donkey had a brain whether he would have come back to the cave again. The lion was satisfied with this reply and then both of them had a sumptuous meal after a long time.

MORAL OF THE STORY ****************************** Sweet honey coated words always conceal deception and almost always succeeds. Be aware.

SRIDHARAAMRITHAM

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Only a person in the middle

can understand the

problems of both the

sides. A person in the

extremes is always full of self pity and keeps repeating his

side like a trained parrot.

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SERVICES IN THE TEMPLE

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Priest’s services like Yantra

Puja, Gruha Pravesham,

Satyanarayana Vratam,

Pitru Karma, Seemantham,

Upanayanm, Vahana Puja etc., are available which will

be performed at devotees

homes for their good health

and prosperity. We also do

archanas, abhishekams for

all our deities.

Seva (Volunteering) oppor-

tunities are also available at

the temple.

For more details please visit

our website:

http://

www.sriamruthasai.org/

services/ or contact the

temple at 804-708-0867.


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RUAMOCHANA GANAPATHI Runamochana Ganapathi is the twenty fifth form of the 32 forms of Lord Ganapathi.

Appereance of Runamochana Ganapathi

*********************************************** In this form, the lord is depicted as sitting on a large lotus. He has four arms and is white in color. He is humanity’s liberator from guilt and bondage. He bears a noose and a goad and his milk white tusk and a rose apple in his hands.

Runamochana Ganapathi Dhyanam **************************************

Pashamkushau Damtajambu Dadhanah Sphatikaprabhah

Raktamshuko Ganapathi Rmude Syadruamocakah

Worship **********

In Sanskrit, the word runa means debt and mochana means liberation. So worhsipping the lord in this form helps the devotees get libertion from their karmic debts in this world. This Ganapathi is also referred to as Runamochakah in some text.

* 3 2 F o r m s o f L o r d G a n a p a t h i ( R u n a m o c h a n a G a n a p a t h i & D h u n d i G a n a p a t h i ) *

DHUNDI GANAPATHI Dhundi Ganapathi is the twenty sixth among the 32 forms of Ganesha.

Appereance of Dhundi Ganapathi ***************************************** In this form the lord is depicted as having four arms bearing a tusk, a garlad, a axe and a gem studded vessel. He holds the strand of rudraksha beeds, his broken tusk, an axe and a small pot of precious gems thought to represent the treasury of awakenings he saves for all his ardent devotees.

Dhundi Ganapathi Dhyanam *********************************

Akshamalam Kutharam Cha Ratnapatram Svadamtakam

Dhatte Karairvignarajo Dhumdinama Mudeshtu Nah

Worship **********

It is interesting to ote that the lord is holding the rudraksha beeds in this form. The rudraksha beeds are associated with lord shiva who is Ganapathi’s father and it is said that lord Shiva himself lives in the rudraksha beeds.


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* S a t y a n a r a y a n a P o o j a * - S a i V a r a n a s i

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A very common " pooja" / ritual, that most of us are aware of and perform in our lives is " Satyanarayana Vratam"! We can use this pooja alone to understand the subtleties in the way it is done and what it means to attain a spiritual plane of understanding and comprehension! At a bird's view, it is a “pooja” that is performed to usually " ask HIM" for more ,and less often, we “Thank HIM" for all that we already have by HIS grace!

So let us analyze what this means! There are two components in the “pooja”, 1. SATYA 2. NARAYANA.

Satyam means being true to "one self"! A commitment to what has been said ! If we falter at this step,we have no way to move forward! So, when one has made a promise to "one self" to do something, one has to complete it. How? By using our " bodies", "speech" and " “consciousness "( in other words mind/ heart/ intellect!)

When we prepare ourself to do the pooja we purify our bodies by taking bath and thinking of the holy rivers as we get cleansed! This will translate to a clean mind , great thoughts and seeing " good" in everything around us! Listening to the slokams/ stotrams chanted by the priest , will strike a chord with our soul, which is always in a musical state" jeeva naadam"( flow of life"!) Participating in the " pooja" ,even as an event, will create the same pure thoughts and feelings of being blessed! Now we will stay blessed! The next part of the " vratam" is the " "five stories"! The questions we have to ask ourself are : Why five? Why not four or six? Is there a reason behind that number? Why did our great sages come up with this formula? What are they trying to convey through a "story format"? Why start with a " Brahmin", followed by " uneducated wood cutter",then " so called educated " person with materialistic outlook , and also a king, depicting a person with power and money? Are they promoting "casteism" through naming " four individuals” from four different " castes"? Would a sage ,who is beyond these materialistic approaches, say something to that effect?

The answer is simple! The five stories are relating to "five levels" of our being : Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vignayamaya, Annadamaya! Each story emphasizes the importance of each level! Now listen to the story as you read them! You will enjoy it more!

There is no difference in all of us as individuals! Society has people working at four levels. The most learned is a " Brahmin" and to maintain that he or she has to practice a certain way of living. A person who works and does chores in the society like wood cutters, carpenters,cleaners, scavengers, farmers etc ,does the same. Similarly an economist and a protector( King). In fact, each and every one of us has the four personalities embedded in us, depending on our level of activity. Meaning, when we are studying , we are at a" Brahmin" level, When we clean our homes , we are like "cleaners"/ shudra", When we manage finances etc, an economist( vaishya) and when we protect ourselves/ our homes and loved one( kshatriya)! There is no way a society can make progress without these four categories of " working class"! So , this is for all of us at various levels of intellect and duty ! We can all do the pooja and cherish and understand the one and only one, all pervading, ever existing, GOD! HE is in us and we are a part of HIS glory!

Approach the "pooja " with this vision. A vision of the " vishwaroopam" / " meaning the entire universe is HIM. Let us now do the pooja and see the difference!

*** SIVAYA GURAVE NAMAHA ***

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* P R A Y O G I P A R A Y A N A M *


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words of wisdom—from our gurujisriamruthasai.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/saj-201811.pdf ·...

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