Every coin has two sides

"Every thing in the world has two sides!  The coin has two sides! The look from one side is different from the other side! Looking at things in one angle is always bad!  we should examine the other side also!  A man found a purse unclaimed on the road!! On opening it he found Rs 99/- in it!  Instead of thanking his luck at the unexpected windfall he was depressed! He told himself that if only one more rupee had been there it would have made Rs 100/- He was not satisfied as it was one rupee short of Rs 100/-! This is human tendency! They are not contented with what god has given them! They aspire for more and more and feel depressed and disappointed!  Every thing in the world depends on the way in which we look at things! Our ambition, desires and wants color our vision!  When we wear colored glasses and look at the world , it appears blue, red , or dark!  The original color of things is covered up and things appear different from what they really are! A person is either optimistic or pessimistic according to his mind set! When you think you are not confident, you become not confident!! if you think you can achieve some thing great and try at it, you shall surely be able to achieve!  Every thing depends on the MIND and its set up!  It is said, " manaeva manushyanam karanam bandha mokahayoh!" it is the MIND alone that is responsible for attachment and liberation or emancipation!  Happiness in Life is based on the change in the way at looking at things! Quarrels, misunderstandings, bitterness and physical fights between the husband and wife and others shall melt away and end in mutual agreement and accord if only there is a change in the outlook of a person! Lack of this very simple technique leads to irreparable loss and disgust and depression in Life!  So, Let there be totality in looking at things not only on one side!!" It is foolish to stick on to your own view and trying to establish it! we know the saying  " loko bhinna ruchihi" Different people have different tastes! We have to understand that to appreciate others. If we can adjust and accommodate to this principle, life can be led happily!

IS FAILURE REALLY A FAILURE?

"Failure is the stepping stone for success they say!  A few others point out that it is a blessing in disguise! There is truth in these statements! Failure and success, sunshine and storm, good and evil, Joy and sorrow etc are called Pairs!! In Sanskrit we call these natural things as " DWANDAS" In other words one cannot enjoy one without the other!! without sorrow you cannot enjoy happiness Without defeat you cannot enjoy success!! Only after walking in the hot sun you can enjoy cool shade! That is the arrangement in Nature! Great scientists tasted failures first but never gave up! Egged on they finally achieved their Goal Failure , in great people, inspires them to succeed! This is the story of almost all inventors and explorers! WE should take success or defeat as the gift of God, His prasadam! WE should maintain equanimity and remain unruffled and continue in our effort!  AS the GIta says "Karmanye vadhikarasthu ma phaleshu kadachana" it is our duty to act but not expect reward since the result shall come automatically according to the effort !  WE should think that whatever happens is for our Good only  We do not know how it is good now!  But when the time comes we realize that it is only for our good!  A certain king and Minister went to the forest for hunting! The minister always used to say that whatever happens is for his good!  While hunting, the king injured his finger!  As usual the Minister said it is only for his good!  The king grew angry!  Meanwhile they were attacked by a Bear! The king fell down and the minister escaped! The Bear, smelling the king, left him unharmed! The king was surprised! He later knew that bears do not harm injured people! He understood the wisdom of the minister;'s statement and thanked him!  There are instances of people missing a train or bus and feeling sorry! Later They know that the train or the Bus was involved in accidents! They would have lost their lives had they boarded the vehicles!  What seems a defeat or failure may not be a real failure or defeat!! it may lead to your victory or success!!"

IS MARRIAGE NECESSARY?

"Marriage is not an absolute necessity! From time immemorial, tradition and culture is responsible for the institution of Marriage!! This continues even today!The moment children come of age parents marry them off after selecting a suitable match! Marriage is intended for the propagation of the race and family! It is not impossible to live without marriage! This depends on the person's aim or purpose in life! Saints, sages, and spiritually oriented people generally do not marry! To them marriage is an impediment! Marriage brings in a family, children, and many responsibilities of looking after them and earning money to maintain them! it is also an obstacle for meditation and other spiritual practices! Being a celibate, one can continue his Sadhana uninterrupted! We have examples of great missionaries like Swami Vivekananda and many others who have served mankind wonderfully! You cannot say you can live happily after marriage!! Present day divorces and  incompatibility between the husband and wife and suicides that follow are really frightening!! Pressures, stress,unexpected twists and turns in family make it miserable! Adi Sankara says " Iha samsare bahu dusthare" referring to family life! It is very difficult to cross the sea of Samsara- Family life!! Marriage can never solve our problems! in fact, it creates more problems and confusion! Marriage is not the ultimate goal in life! We imagine that it is so! If a person has an understanding wife, good children, noble ideals and spiritual leanings though in family life, and is simple, contented, and loving, he can be considered as a happily married man! To exhibit all these qualities is rare! It is left to the individual to ponder over Marriage and take a decision!!"

Jan 29, 2

SIGNIFICANCE OF SARAN NAVARATHRI

: Krishnamurthy Yayavaram on Sep 24, 2014 | 35 Views | Post Response | Delete | Edit Blog Post

Navarathri is one of the most famous festivals celebrated all over India. The first period of nine days in the lunar month of Asviyuja--September- October of every year is calebrated as Sarannavarathri. There are others like Vasntha Navarathri and Ashada Navarathri signifying the seasonal importance.These nine days in the month of Asviyuja are called Sarada Navarathri or Sarannavrathri.as they fall in the season called Sarad rutu soon after the rainy season. Due to heavy rains and floods people suffer from various contagious diseases and untold miseries. Goddess Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari or Sri Rajarajeswari is worshipped and propitiated during these days to.ward off all evils and difficulties.

       The embodiment of energy or Shakti, goddess Lalitha is worshipped in these days in three forms namely Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. For the first three days she is Durga, for the second and third three days she is Lakshmi and Saraswathi respectively. Goddess Durga is the destroyer of all evils, while Lakshmi and Saraswathi are the bestowers of wealth and prosperity and scholarship and knowledge. During the last three days of Navarathri people conduct " Ayudha Pooja" and "Saraswathi Pooja". They clean up all the instruments, machines, implements of work and offer pooja and worship as a token of their respect and regard for making them successful and prosperous..Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped as she is the bestower of all knowledge.

        What is the significance of this worship of Lalith Devi in three forms? This period is sacred as the Devi took threse forms to kill Mahishasura and his kin who tormented all the Devas after obtaining rare boons from the Gods through penance. There was no end for their pride, arrogance and torture. None could stop them.The Sages advised the Devas to perform a great yagna out of which  the great Shakthi will emerge and kill all the demons torturing them. Soon after the yagna was performed, out of the 'homa kunda'' came the invincible Goddess in resplendent form ready to help the Devas. Sri Lalitha Sahasranama describes her as ' chidagni kunda sambhuta deva karya samudyatha" Surrounded by her assistants and commanders like Varahi,Manthrini, Dhandini and Bala she destroys one by one the kin of the main tormentor Mahishasura. Rakthakshara, Rakthajihva, Raktha Beeja, Sumbha, Nisumbha, Chanda, Munda, Bhanda and others perish. As Durga She drinks the blood of the demons as a single drop of their blood on soil would raise a hundred more of them! Finally on the eigth day of Navrathri-- Durgashtami--She takes the form of Mahishasura Mardini, overcomes all the demon's maya and slays him to the delight and applause of all the Devas! The slain demons represent extreme evil forces. They personify the two detestable qualities--Rajo Guna and Thamo Guna corresponding to anger,pride and arrogance in human beings! It is to free them fromt these destructive evils, Lalitha Devi takes avatar and saves them. These deeply embedded evils in Man are obliterated through Her worship and Grace!

         Navarathri is rounded off with the tenth day which is called " Vijaya Dasami." This day is regarded as very auspicious. It is considered as the day of victory. The belief is that any work started on that day would be successful. The word 'Vijaya' is one of the many names of Arjuna,the famous Pandava warrior. When the Pandavas lived in cognito in the court of king Virata, the Kauravas, getting a hint of their presence, steal the cattle of the King. Uttara kumara, the prince rides to defeat the Kauravas and bring back the herd of cattle. Arjuna,who was in the guise of eunach Bruhannala drives the chariot. But the prince, seeing the mighty Kaurava forces gets unnerved,jumps down the chariot and flees! Arjuna brings him back, makes him drive the chariot, defeats the Kauravas,and brings back the herd of cattle. But before that, he goes to a tree called ' sami Vruksha' on which the Pandavas had hidden their bows and arrows and other arms before they put on their disguise. Arjuna worships the " ayudhas-arms-and then fights the Kauravas and defeats them! It is believed that this tenth day is very auspicious as Arjuna scored his victory over the Kauravas 

          This is how "Ayudha pooja" came into practice! On the whole Navarathri is a period of gala celebrations,feasts, and festivities and worship. All through Navarathri  Sri Lalitha Sahasra namam is recited at homes and temples!!

          

Whom do you Like, RAMA or KRISHNA?

"" Ramo vigrahavan Dharmaha" says Valmiki Ramayana!! He is more an embodiment of Dharma than a GOD;s avatar! Very few people recognized him as an avatar of Vishnu!! It is to set an example to the world that Rama acted his part though he came down as an avatar!! Only in the offering of 'sapavimochana' to sage Gautama's wife Ahalya, granting 'moksham' to Jatayu and Sabari his divine avatara signs are seen!! His sufferings and languishing for Sita like an ordinary mortal do not show him as an avatar!! Ramayana kavya by Valmiki is explicitly written to establish Dharma through the avatar of Sri Rama!! On the other hand Krishna was born to Devaki with ' CHATURBHUJA, SANKHA & CHAKRA in the prison cell though the form became a normal Child soon after!! At every stage miracles are demonstrated by Child krishna in killing the demon Putana and various others!! He was looked upon as the divine avatar by many people except kamsa and a few of his associates! Coming to the rescue of Draupadi while disrobing her and in many other instances He has revealed his Divine nature and the qualities of an avatar!! Every avatar has a specific purpose in coming down! krishna came down to protect Dharma in its decay and establish Dharma or righteousness as well as the followers of Dharma!! As a consequence he had to destroy the perpetrators of evil!  "parithranaya sadhunam Vinasayacha dushkrutham Dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge!" Rama killed the regular demons like Ravana, kumbhakarna Maricha and others!  krishna  Killed mortals who had demonaic qualities like kamsa and the Kauravas through Arjuna and others!! Establishment of Dharma is the main motive!! I do not make a distinction between the Avatars!! Rama, krishna, Narasimha, Vamana and others are equally divine and should be liked & venerated!!"

Past, Future, Rebirth

"" pratyayantigatah punarna divasa kalo jagad bhakshakaha" days that are spent shall never return,Time swallows the entire universe!!  Reincarnation of man takes place according to his karma in the previous birth!! This karma theory is the speciality of Hinduism only!! christianity and Islam do not believe in this!! As such they have no answer to unmerited suffering that people have!! Why should a person be born Blind, lame, deaf, and dumb? Why should another enjoy all his life and the other suffer? Hinduism answers these questions effectively with the karma Theory! Good deeds in the past result in good birth and happiness while evil actions result in misery, suffering and troubles!  Every thing is decided by past karma- birth, place of birth,and the experiences that one has to under go!!  Even as the child is born, his past karma comes into effect! This is called Prarabdha karma!! As we live and involve ourselves in various acts we accumulate good and bad karma which is called Sanchita karma! This will be in deposit for future effect!!  Agami is the karma that will be effective in future depending upon our actions in the present!! None can escape the effects of his own actions or karma!! God has been kind enough not to have given us the gift of remembering our past!!  Our experience would be much more terrible if that were so! Our birth as a dog, or some other animal would make us miserable!!  We do not know what birth we had in the past and we need not know that now! it is enough if we lead a good and righteous life!! Hypnotism can only bring back the memories embedded in the mind but not the experiences of Past life!!  Man can be much more mischievous if he were to know of his past!!  Very rarely we come across persons who can recall their past life!   I remember a small boy who was able to recognize where he was born in the past!! Prodigies have exceptional powers! It is said that they recollect what they have achieved in the past very early in the present birth!!  To day we have in Nadi Jothidam a peep in to our past, present and even future!The findings are fairly correct!! Astrology can give an idea of our present, past and future if properly predicted and if you believe in it!! The Fifth house from the Lagna is called as" purva punya sthana" That tells about your purva janma Karma! It is only for our good that God has not given MAN certain powers lest he may misuse abuse them!!"

Nature and Types of Karma - Actions

After establishing the differences between the body and the atma or soul, Lord Krishna embarks on  describing the nature and types of action to Arjuna who is still confused and vacillating. Man's failures and disappointments are mainly because of his inner ailments.It is his past karma that comes in his way of success and defeat. This is also the cause for non attainment of Jnana or knowledge.How is it possible to overcome this past karma? Krishna tells Arjuna that it is through performing karma or action.Like a diamond that can cut a diamond or a thorn that can remove another thorn, it is through proper action or karma that the inner impurities can be removed. Krishna describes to Arjuna the path of action and before that enumerates the nature and various types of action that lead one to Jnana

      Karma or action is sine qua non in this world. krishna tells Arjuna. None can live in this world without action even for a second.What is obtainable, namely Jnana, is called 'sadhya' Any action leading to it is called 'sadhana.' There are many types of karma. Worldly duties or LAUKIKA KARMA includes actions to keep good health, looking after the family and children. If the body is not well maintained you cannot concentrate on the atma. Spiritual duties or VAIDIKA KARMA elevates the level of Self by performing japa and tapa or penance. Both these types of action are mandatory to every one and should correspond to the clan and race to which he belongs. In no case should he take up the duties that belong to the other race and its customs and habits. Bodily actions are called KAYIKA KARMA. Mental actions are called MANASIKA KARMA and those with speech VACHIKA KARMA. There are others acts that we do daily and they constitute NITHYA KARMA. Regular bath, Japa, chanting the maha mantra Gayathri and worship of the chosen deity belong to this group. Not chanting the Gayathri mantra is considered a great sin. These daily duties purify our inner being and pave the way for Jnana.Occasional and special karma or actions during ceremonies and festivals form NAIMITTHIKA KARMA when we offer alms to brahmins and do ceremonies to our dead ancestors or pitrus

      Krishna continues and describes to Arjuna certain types of Karma that are prohibited. They are called NISHIDDHA KARMA. Speaking untruth,debauchery,misappropriation,drunkenness, and black magic and others are in this group. KAMYA KARMA is done for the fulfilment of desires but it also brings sorrow in its train. King Dasaratha had four children after performing the "Puthra kameshti yaga" but died through separation from his son Srirama!.

      Two most significant but diverse pathways to jnana and mukti or salvation are(1) PRAVRUTTHI MARGA and (2)NIVRUTTHI MARGA. The first one is for mundane and heavenly pleasures. The second one is for emancipation. Pravrutthi Marga is rather difficult as strict rules and religious rituals have to be followed. It is like walking on a sharp razor's edge.Its results are limited and small.. In Nivrutthi Marga action is for god's sake. There is no expectation of any reward. According to the Upanishads this path is better. It is also called " NISHKAMA KARMA and " ANASAKTHI YOGA. This karma absolves the person from all irregularities and releases him from this earthly bondage. Madhusudana Saraswathi compares Nivrutthi Marga to a mango seed. Growing into  a huge tree, it provides not only the fruit but the twigs to clean our teeth, shelter, and leaves for festoons for auspicious occasions. A person who does Nishkama Karma not only reforms himself but others also. Krishna declares that one who follows Pravrutthi Marga is a fool as the gains are insignificant. It is always commendable to follow Nivrutthi Marga and gain unlimited benefits.

      Krishna emphasizes that doing Karma is our duty! Rewarding the Karma is the duty of God. Remaining lazy and expecting God to give the result is also stupid. All results of our acion depend on our past deeds god or bad. Nivrutthi Marga destroys both and makes salvation possible. Pravrutthi Marga is an iron chain while Nivrutthi Marga is a golden chain. Both should be destroyed for Mukthi or emancipation! Thus Krishna directs Arjuna to act without fear or favor and do hiis duty as a kshatriya in destroying evil! 

Is Power Good or Bad?

"POWER by itself is neither good nor bad!! It depends upon the person who wields it! Like a knife that can be used for cutting an apple as well as cutting the throat of another, Power becomes an instrument in the hands of people with good or bad intentions!! It is the quality of Man to acquire power and impress others with that!! He cannot keep quiet!! He wants to show off his power to others by conquering nations, killing people and spreading destruction!! History is replete with incidents of this power struggle between dynasties when one's own kith and kin were murdered in cold blood!! It is the ambition to become powerful and dominate that is the moving force!! Power and supreme authority breeds corruption!! we know the maxim " Power corrupts Absolute power corrupts Absolutely!" Very powerful Nations like America and Russia want to dominate the world and pressurize the other weaker nations!! Russia's recent annexation of the Crimean Peninsula is a case in point!! America has an iron hand on many smaller nations!! Power has two ramifications! Money power and military power!! These can be used to subjugate other smaller nations and a few more can be threatened into submission by military power!! In other words powerful people and nations can never keep quiet! They must do something to show off their power and dominance!! It is said that a king who is satisfied with his kingdom will fall!! He has to invade and conquer other kingdoms!! Otherwise, another king will conquer him and snatch away his kingdom!! All the terrible wars in history and the two world wars are the result of the will to dominate and exercise their power over other nations and people!! Compared to physical power, mental power is less dangerous!! While science and technology have made the life of man very comfortable and worth living,men at the helm of nations have misused them for the destruction of humanity!! The Atom Bomb is an example!! it has destroyed the generation of people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan!! Chemical and poisonous gas weapons are used by certain nations against their enemies mercilessly!! For all these misdeeds, it is the unchangeable basic nature of man that is responsible!! He has changed many things in the world but he has not changed himself basically!! He is obsessed with power, greed, money and many other evil things that lead him to his doom!! The fight for political power is very significant!! It is the hot bed of corruption!! The statement of assets of the candidates is shocking!! The income of a particular candidate has increased  by 1200% in five years!! So there is a cutthroat contest for seats in parliament!! There is no chance to end corruption as long as Man does not change his nature!!"

Love- Prime Factor of Life

"Love is the prime factor that makes Life meaningful and happy! Without Love man cannot exist! The mother and father love their children and in turn children love their parents! There is love between brothers and sisters! Even animals love their young ones and  shower affection on them in one way or other! Love originates from the heart! That is why people without love are called  people without  heart! Love emanates because the child is the offspring of one's self! It is said that the husband is born through his wife!! 

 Shastras say " atmavai putra namamsi!" So there is a parennial  link between the parents and  their children!! They are the chip of  the same block! When children exhibit the same features and qualities of  their parents, it increases their Love for the children!! This is the Physical side of Love!! On the ideal and spiritual plane Love involves sacrifice! without it , it cannot be called love!  The mother is prepared to die for the sake of her child!  she wants him to live and  prosper though she may not survive!! Love makes one selfless! we say that 'He lives who lives for others!' It gives tremendous happiness to the Mother!! Service to Humanity is done purely out of Love!  Man is shorn of his EGO by service to society!  Service to Man is service to God! The Upanishad says that a man Loves his wife not because she is his wife but because of of the ATMA= the self same SPiRIT that is enshrined in her!! Where there is true Love  there is true happiness!! The supreme Bliss of the Gopikas was due to their TRUE LOVE for Lord Krishna! They had totally surrendered themselves to Him!  Thus their happiness knew no bounds! The Azwars and Nayanmars  and  the great Bhaktas  loved The lord in such a way that they reveled in His vision and Happiness! The Bible says " LOVE thy neighbur as thyself!" The Upanishad reiterates " Anandam Brahmeti vyajanath!" Man is born of ANANDA or BLISS and merges into ANANDA!! The Happiness of the material world is different from that of supreme Bliss or Beatitude realized by the great sages and seers!! It is through continuous Sadhana Sri Ramakrishna had the vision of his deity KALI and experienced indescribable happiness!! For REAL HAPPINESS, materially or SPIRITUALLY LOVE is the most significant Factor!!"

My Tryst with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

My first visit to Puttaparthi, the abode of our Living God, Sri Sathya Sai Baba was in 1953 soon after my marriage. It was a long and arduous journey and we went in a bullock cart along the dry and barren looking Chitravathi river. Not many buildings were there and we had to stay under the trees and the sheds that were coming up. What a tremendous  transformation to Parthi since then! The sight of Swami in his orange robe would electrify the devotees and send a thrill all over their bodies! Swami would come for the bhajan and many had the rare privelege of padanamaskar.

    In Vaniyambadi, where I was appointed in the college, we performed bhajans at home every Thursday. We still continue the bhajans in Chennai where I have settled after my retirement. Not many attend the bhajans but we carry on irrespective of the attendance. Sri Rajaram, my colleague, was drawn to the bhajans slowly and participated in the bhajans. His mellufluous singing of bhajans delighted us extremely. We celebrated Sri Sai Laksharchana with grand bhajans both in the morning and evening sessions. Sai devotees from Chennai and nearby places would participate in the bhajans. This was a golden period in my life at Vaniyambadi suffused with devotion and spirituality.

    By Swami's grace I could compose a few stothras in Sanskrit on various deities, bhajans and Telugu poetry. It was Swami's sankalpa that I wanted to compose a few stanzas on Swami's life, leelas or divine sports, and philosophy. I took up a few incidents in Swami's life and composed fifty stanzas. It was my cherished desire and ambition to recite a few of them in the presence of Bhagawan during the 50th Birthday celebrations at Parthi. What a greedy desire! That night, after I finished the work and went to bed, Swam

i came in my vision and I offered him the manuscript of the stanzas I composed! Swami accepted them and vanished! I was overwhelmed with emotion at the Love and compassion of Swami in receiving my humble offering. It was November and preparations were afoot for the grand celebrations of Swami's Birthday. I and my friend Rajaram reached Parthi. I was in high spirits and prepared myself to recite a few stanzas in the presence of Swami. I met Sri Joga Rao and a few others for permission to recite. But they bluntly said that it is Swami alone who should permit me and no one else. I felt snubbed, dejected and unhappy. Can such an opportunity come to an ordinary mortal like me? Am I not over ambitious?

    We went and sat in the poornachandra auditorium. It was jam packed and we could get the fifth or sixth row. Devotees were expectantly awaiting Swami's arrival. Swami's students and staff of school, college, and University assembled and sat in rows. Swami appeared at length walking in his majetic, light and nimble strides glancing and smiling at his devotees. My expectations ran high. Will He come near me? Will He receive my compositions in reality? There was a trepidation in my heart. My blood pressure increased! I wanted to offer my work "Kusumanjali" the offering of flowers (of my composition) to Swami personally. Swami came nearer. I was about to offer him the manuscript when he suddenly stopped, turned back and moved away! My heart sank in despair and disappointment! I felt I was not worth the Love compassion and Grace of Swami and that is why he came so near and turned away!

     Meanwhile there was some commotion in the rows and I saw Swami coming nearer and nearer to my row. He came closer to me and leaning across I offered my "Kusumanjali" to his soft hands. Looking at me for a second, he quickly received it and went back! Oh! What a sight it was! My vision and dream became a reality! Is not Swami the "Antaryami" of all? Does he not know what his devotees feel in their hearts? My heart was full of Ananda or Bliss at what has happened. I had my tryst with Swami, the personification of Love and Compassion! I felt very humble and fortunate at the causeless Love of Swami.

Recently, during my Bheema ratha santhi celebrations Swami blessed me with a beautiful black "Lingam" which materialized from the Pradhana kalasam. I have also sent a hundred printed copies of "Kusumanjali" to Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Book Trust for distribution to Telugu knowing devotees.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

"You have to believe in Miracles because they are extra terrestriall !! It is not as if any one can perform miracles!! Many people don't believe these acts and call it Magic or causing illusion!! It is wrong!! From ancient times we have heard saints and sages performing miracles! Jesus has performed miracles which people believe!! We have Siddhas who can perform miracles according to their will!! When Avatars come down to earth, they bring with them the wonderful power of Miracles! In that way in The Mahabharatha and the Ramayana we find Lord Krishna and others performing miracles!! In modern times we have seen and heard of the miracles performed by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa! He appears to Rani Rashmani once as his own self and the very next time as Goddess Kali! One of the greatest Modern performers of miracles is Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba!! His miracles are countless, astonishing,stunning,and incredible! He was seen at the same time in two different places! He has taken over the diseases of his ardent devotees to save them!! He gave new Life to COWAN who was declared dead clinically by the doctors!! He has reformed many wrong doers by his miracles! He has converted stone into sugar candy and taken out idols from sand and his own palm!! it is impossible to list out the miracles he has done during his life time! I have my own personal experience when we celebrated my 75th year rituals! when the holy water of the Kalasa was poured on us, a beautiful LINGAM rattled from inside the kalasam and came out!! All those who attended the function were wonder struck! I consider that as the Grace of Sri Satya Sai! I have kept it in my pooja room and worship it! Swami has produced watches on the spot with the Bill of the company where it came from!! What are all these if not Miracles? Miracles very often are performed to create faith in individuals and only for the general good of the People!! Many have criticized BABA as a Miracle Man and called him a fake! They tried their best to probe Him but in vain!! You cannot prove a miracle in a scientific way because they transcend the Laws of Science!! 

ARISHADVARGA---Man's Inner Enemies

Tremendous changes have taken place since the time of creation. Civilizations have changed and man lives in comfort. He has conquered even Nature to a certain extent. He has exterminated his outer enemies with the help of science and technology. But it is a pity that he has not been able to conquer the basic animosities and tendencies that are ingrained in him from the time of his birth!

   Since the very purpose of Man's existence is to realize himself and seek the path of salvation, Providence has placed certain obstacles which Man has to overcome during his life time! He has meticulously concealed and camouflaged the obstacles in the human heart and mind. They are the hidden band of adversaries to Man's spiritual and material progress.They take full control of Man's mind and nature and bring him down to his destruction. Unless he controls these inner enemies,he cannot think of any spiritual advancement. So far humanity has not been able to exercise total control over these very mischievous tendencies that keep Man on tenter hooks! 

     What are these latent and hidden enemies of Man? They are called " arishadvarga". Ari means enemy. Shat means six and Varga means a band. Each is capable of working havoc in the life of Man! They are (!) Kama-Desire (2) Krodha-Anger (3) Lobha- Miserliness (4) Moha-Attachment, infatuation (5) Mada- Arrogance,pride ((6) Matscharya-Envy or jealousy. Entire humanity is subjected to the influence of these traits which Man cannot conquer however much he may try! 

      Kama is desire in the general sense. Directed to good things like Dharma it ennobles man. Without desire there is no existence at all. But misused, it develops into lust and attachment and destroys the individual. Desire can be for money, renown, achievement and others. It should not deteriorate into lust!  Kama is one of the ' Purusharthas'. Through money earned by righteous means one should satisfy his desires. The second enemy  Krodha or Anger is extremely dangerous and destroys the person in a second! Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagavadgita that Desire and Anger are inveterate enemies of Man.They are caused by Rajo guna and insatiable. They force Man to commit more sins. Anger is the result of baffled desires.This causes imbalance of mind resulting in senseless action as a result of emotional outburst irrespective of its consequences! Sage Durvasa was humiliated because of his anger against the King Ambarisha, a great devotee of Sri Hari. When he invoked a spirit to destroy the king, Sudarsana chakra of the Lord  killed  the spirit and chased the sage! Though he appealed to all the Trinity, they redirected him to seek pardon from the great bhakta! Sage Durvasa did so and was saved!

       The third enemy is Lobha- miserliness-the quality of accumulating money endlesly and deriving pleasure out of it This is like dog in the manger policy Neither the man enjoys it himself nor does he allow others to enjoy! Like the snakes that enter the anthill some one else enjoys the benefits of. accumulation! The fourth enemy is Moha- attachment, infatuation,or lust a desire to possess the spouse of some one else. Many renowned persons, great sages and even the Devas have fallen victims to this wicked enemy. Indra, king of gods had to lose his manliness due to his infatuation for Ahalya, the beautiful wife of the great sage Gautama! Ravana,the king of Lanka, a great devotee of Lord Siva came to his doom and destruction as he aspired for Sita the spouse of Sri Rama! Sage VIswamitra,who gave us the mahamantra Gayatri had to lose all the power of his penance charmed and tempted by the wiles of the divine damsel Menaka! Here desire is diverted to illegal and forbidden ends! The Fifth adversary is Mada- Arrogance of power, pelf,education,knowledge and others. " power corrupts; Absolute power corrupts absolutely" Adi Sankara in his ' Bhajagovindam' warns ' ma kurudhana jana yauvana garvam  harathi nimeshath kalam sarvam" King Parikshit invited death by his arrogance and pride by putting a dead snake in the neck of the sage Sameeka!! King Nahusha though qualified for the post of Indra, king of gods, lost it because of his arrogance!  While being carried by the sages in a palanquin, anxious to reach quickly, he prodded one of the sages with his foot saying' sarpa, sarpa'. The sage cursed him to become a snake and he turned into a python in stead of becoming Indra!!

      The sixth destructive enemy is Matscharya-Envy or Jealousy. The jealous can never be happy. He envies the happiness of others, their riches, possessions,and qualities and what not. The Kauravas can be cited as an example. They envied the Pandavas for all their good qualities and tried to kill them by various means but were decimated by the Pandavas! So it is the bounden duty of Man to be conscious of the might of these inner adversaries and as far as possible try to free himself from their influence. It is only then that he can tread the real spiritual path towards salvation! 

 

God is within You

"" deham devalayam proktwa jeevo devas sanathanaha!" says the mantra!!The Body is the wonderful shrine in which the jiva, the divine chip is embedded!! Searching for Him elsewhere is like searching for Ghee having butter in our hand!! But Ghee cannot come by itself! Butter has to be churned out of Curds and it has to be melted before we can see Ghee forming out of it!! In the same manner, one has to churn himself and melt for the vision of God!! We gloat about our success and look up with desperation and blame god for our defeats and failures!! God is not in heaven! He is omnipresent and therefore we miss him!! The Atma principle manifest in every creature in the Universe fails our recognition!! God resides in the heart of every creature!! Lord Vishnu tells Sage Narada that HE does not reside either in his abode Vaikunta or in the hearts of yogis but wherever his devotees sing HIS praise by chanting HIS name!! Narayana Suktam describes very clearly the omnipresence of God and the exact place in our heart where the supreme Spirit resides! His position is from down the neck region & above the navel!! " "Padmakosaprathikasam hridayamchapyadhomukham ----- nabhya muparithishtathu!!" Covered by the pancha kosas and the illusion that this jagat is real, we forget to look inside ourselves for the vision of God! But this is easier said than done!! This requires very great effort and training! But it is not at all impossible!!This realization of God within one self is called " atma sakshatkara" the realization of the self which is god!!Then the whole world becomes his possession!! He loves all,hates none! All creatures are one and the same to him!! HE visualizes God in every being! He loses his EGO which has been the stumbling block for realization! He does not Knock at the doors of others for any spiritual progress!! He is the most satisfied man on earth! The 'arishadvargas' shall not touch him!! He becomes the embodiment of LOVE & compassion as it happened to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa!! His terrible suffering for the vision of his deity KALI is too very well known to be forgotten! Once he realized the vision in his heart he was transformed!! It is the duty of every individual to attempt at least for realizing GOD in one's own heart! Such an attempt, in itself shall transform him into a different individual altogether--A REAL JNANI!!!"

What is Religion?

"Re + Ligo religion is the link between Man & god!! The very purpose of religion is to change man for the better!! Otherwise it cannot be termed Religion!! Religion does not mean conducting rituals & other practices!! It underscores the important unities viz unity of thought,unity of speech & unity of action!! Not only religion, the life of the individual will be in jeopardy without these three unities! Outward marks & show of religion cannot make one truly religious!! Religion is something of the heart & soul rather than the Body !! That is why thought should be pure not poor! According to the purity of the thought, speech follows and soon it translates into action!! Nehru said that Religion has harmed mankind more than any thing else!! Religion, instead of uniting Mankind, has divided them & created a situation where people of one religion killed the people of other religions!! All Religions are great but the followers do not grasp the spirit of what is said and spoil the name of religions!!The clash between christians & muslims called 'jihads'- Religious wars are too very well known!! Such things happen for lack of purity of speech and action!! Fanaticism for one's Religion plays a vital role in these matters!! Any person who understands that all Religions are different paths to reach the same God can never have any quarrel with other religions!! As the saying goes ' "Akasath pathitham thoyam yatha gacchati sagaram sarvadeva namaskaram kesavam prathigacchati" Like Rain water that flows into the sea- worship of different Gods reach Lord Kesava ( vishnu)I  God is one and we call him by different Names!! As Satya sai Baba said there is only one Religion-- the religion of LOVE This must be the thought, speech & action of any Religion worth its Name!! Advaitis, Vaishnavites, Madhwas, Sivites, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and many more other sects must realize the unity of thought, word and deed to be peaceful and happy!!Purity of thought leads to good speech which again translates into good action benefiting the whole mankind!!"

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FATE AND FREEWILL

 Every action has an equivalent and opposite reaction according to Science! In the same way all or actions, good or bad, in the past and the present have their effects and reactions!! People argue that Fate & and Freewill are mutually contradictory! Where is the question of Fate or predetermination when there is Freewill? If there is Freewill there is no Fate! There is a fallacy in these statements! This brings us to the Karma Theory in our religion. Other religions do not have any such thing like what we have. The question of unmerited suffering cannot be explained  by other religions! Why are people born dumb, deaf, lame, and with disabilities both physical and mental? They answer that it is the will of God! But in Hinduism we explain all these things by the Karma Theory1

    The Bhagavdgita and other authorities accept Karma Theory! People are born according to their past good or bad deeds. We have no choice in deciding the place, time and the region where we are born! If our actions are good we are born in good and rich families and have comfortable lives! Otherwise we come into poor and ordinary families and suffer.Our Mind acts according to the dictates of our past Karma. " Buddhih karmanusarini" In accidents many people die. but a child or a man escapes and we call it a miracle! It is not a miracle! It is not the child's karma to die. So some one spots the child and rescues it! On the other hand some one suffers an accident and lies on the road but no one notices him. Those who see him do not help him! By the time he is taken to the hospital he is declared dead! Here he is predetermined to die!
     
     Freewill is what is called independence within a limit! But it is not the opposite of Fate. It works within a circle but cannot go beyond! It is like a cow tied up to a peg in a place. The cow is fastened but it has a freedom to go round to the extent that the rope allows! It cannot release the peg and escape. Freewill is influenced by the tendencies or Vasanas that the soul has developed in its previous births. Our mind and Freewill, therefore, are dictated by our own Karma or good and bad deeds! The idea of Freewill is our own imagination!!