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Sai lives on

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courtesy of Hinduism Today magazine's editorial staff


More Than 6,000 Palm Leaf Manuscripts in Melkote



KARNATAKA, INDIA, May 6, 2011: Raghuram Ashok and his cousin Sreenivasa S.L., both Bangalore-based photographers, were intrigued by the thought of a 16th century transcription of the Sampoorna Ramayana resting just 81 miles from their city.

They first visited the Academy of Sanskrit Research in Melkote--a temple town in Karnataka and a historical centre of Sanskrit learning three months ago. After several persistent inquiries, they're now working on a self-initiated documentary project on the academy's archives.

With more than 6,000 manuscripts in its fold, and 10,000 bodies of work spanning epic literature, general science, history and literature, the archives only whet the photographers' interest further.

Established in 1977 and currently headed by Professor Bhashyam Swami, a retired Sanskrit scholar from the University of Mysore, the academy has been striving to collect, preserve and catalogue ancient manuscripts. A recent survey by the Institute of Asian Studies in Chennai reports that about 100,000 palm-leaf manuscripts have survived in south India alone, and several others are scattered across the globe.

Centuries of oral culture are contained in these manuscripts, etched by scribes using a metallic stylus and when done, applying soot over the letters for readability. Since they were written on organic materials, the manuscripts were elaborately rewritten from time to time to preserve the content.
 
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Sai Inspires - May 30, 2011

Every child arrives into the world bearing the burden of consequences that were not carried to completion in previous lives. The child does not drop from the lap of Nature as a streak of lightning from the clouds. It is born in this world in order to experience the beneficial and the malignant consequences that are the products of its own acts in past lives. This is the explanation for the differences that are evident among men. This is the principle of Karma.
– Sathya Sai Vahini, Ch 13: "The Avatar as Guru".

Knowledge without action is useless; action without knowledge is foolish. – Baba
 
Bliss is the dance-stage, bliss is the lyric; Bliss are the diverse instruments, Bliss is the meaning;The supreme felicity of the universe is bliss, For he who yearns for His dance of bliss
-- Tirumantiram, a sacred mystical treatise by Rishi Tirumular, verse v. 2725
 
Sathya Sai Baba



Sathya Sai Baba’s Physical Death Prediction Comes True


Sathya Sai Baba

By Raj Sharma
There has been much confusion in the last few weeks regarding the age of Sathya Sai Baba and the timeline of his presence in physical form, for Baba it is said, had declared that he would leave his physical form when he reached 96 years of age.
This confusion in truth pertains to the modes of computation for most people still adhere to the Roman/Gregorian calendar whereas Sathya Sai Baba always referred to the Hindu Nakshatra Kala Ganana (timescales based on stars) in his own discourses.
Accordingly, the Sidereal Lunar year as per old “Vedic” cycles is not 365 days but 324 days or 27 X 12 (12 sidereal months) because a lunar (sidereal) month extends from Aswathi to Revathi stars — that is 27 days. Hence it is important to note that we are not referring to the solar year 365 days or tropical lunar year from full moon to full moon which is 12 X 29 1/2 days or 354 days. We are speaking of the sidereal lunar year with one month consisting of 27 day moon transit of the zodiac and the 27 nakshatras. Therefore the lunar year in this case would have 324 days and not 365 days as in the Gregorian calendar.
Roughly speaking then, if we consider the prediction of death at 96 years of age then 96 lunar years at 324 = 31104 days, divided by 365 solar years= 85.2 solar years. Hence Sathya Sai Baba is no doubt around 85 ‘solar’ years according to the Roman/Gregorian calendar but he is ’96′ lunar years according to the old Vedic Hindu calculation (of the sidereal months). Moreover this information has been confirmed by many Vedic scholars and astrologists, including the eminent Pandit Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley)
It is also interesting to note an incident which took place on the 85th birthday celebration of Sathya Sai Baba. Usually, during any festival celebration, especially Baba’s birthday, the entire Prashanti Nilayam would be temporarily decorated with objects made of materials such as cardboards, etc. which could be easily dismantled and dismembered after the celebration ended since the new celebration would require the new birth date, etc. to be hoarded on the banner. However, during this 85th birthday celebration Sathya Sai Baba told his students “Make all the decorations of “PERMANENT” material”. Accordingly a board had been put up at the Ganesh Dwar which read “85 years of Love” and after celebrations the board has remained and not come down, just as Baba wanted and instructed. Moreover this time around instead of temporary gates, permanent gates were made and they are still there. When the students asked Swami whether they could remove and clear the decorations Swami responded by telling them not to remove the banner or decorations and to let it be there, implying that he knew this would be the last celebration.
Furthermore during his 80th birthday celebration, in the discourse that Sathya Sai Baba gave he declared that “Today is MY 90th Birthday”… and the entire crowd started laughing thinking that Swami had made a mistake…no one took it seriously and the publisher of Sathya Sai Baba in that subsequent volume went on to publish it as 80 years. Yet all of the devotees present that day undoubtedly heard Swami say that he was 90 years of age.
It stands to reason however that even if devotees knew that Sathya Sai Baba was indeed 96 years old, it would not make the situation any better but only worse since most devotees were already heartbroken and suffering even when they were convinced that Baba would not leave his body yet. Hence if devotees knew for sure that Baba would be leaving then Prashanti Nilyam would be subject to complete chaos and most devotees who have been so strongly attached to Baba would certainly succumb to emotional breakdowns, especially in the final years of Baba’s life. Instead, Baba, out of care for his devotees, made all circumstances transpire so fast, and out of the range of our conscious awareness of the actual reality of things, so that most of us would not really experience the real magnitude or impact of the situation making it less emotionally painful, which is why till today most people still feel as if it was all a dream.
More importantly, the way that avatars work ultimately always remains a mystery, so it never does matter whether in the end things add up mathematically or not as Baba’s age would still be irrelevant in the grand scheme of life. What will always continue to remain more important is our experience with him, his life, his message and his work, which is what devotees must continue to set their hearts and minds on.
Click to expand...

I dont qualify as a devotee of Baba but here is something that might be of interest to some Baba devotees.
 
Sai Inspires - June 01, 2011

All that you speak is a reflection of your inner thoughts. All that you do is a reflection of your inner promptings. Hence, to act according to your inner impulse is Dharma (right conduct). To say what you feel inside is Sathya (truth). To contemplate on what you experience in your heart is Shanti (peace). To understand properly the promptings of your heart is Ahimsa (non-violence). Consideration for all emanating from the heart is Prema (love). The five values are thus reflections of feelings emanating from your heart. Being truly human means having complete harmony between thought, word and deed. What happens if there is a divergence between all these three? It results in only useless actions.
– Divine Discourse, May 28, 1991
Do Good, Be Good and See Good. This is the way to God. – Baba
 
Sai Inspires - June 02, 2011

Some say knowledge is the most valuable acquisition, but character is more valuable than knowledge. One may be a learned scholar or hold high positions of authority, or may be very wealthy or be an eminent scientist but if one has no character, all the other attainments are of no use at all. Sacrifice, love, compassion and forbearance are the sterling human qualities that you should foster. One must get rid of jealousy, hatred, ego and anger, which are bestial tendencies.
– Divine Discourse, April 11, 1994
The end of education is Character. – Baba
 
Sai Inspires - June 03, 2011

When bhaktas (devotees) pray to Bhagawan (God) sincerely, offering all their actions to Him, they will certainly receive appropriate grace from the Divine. There are nine types of devotion: Shravanam (Listening to His glory), Keerthanam (Singing to Him), Vishnusmaranam (Remembering Him), Padasevanam (Serving at His feet), Vandanam (Adoring Him), Archanam (Worshipping Him), Dasyam (Being His dedicated servant), Sneham (Loving Him like a dear friend) and Atmanivedanam (Surrendering oneself completely to Him). In whichever way you offer worship, God responds in the same manner. When you surrender all your actions to Him, you will surely receive His Grace.
– Divine Discourse, January 1, 1994.
Your life must be based on the principle of surrender to the Divine. – Baba
 
Sai Inspires - June 04, 2011
If at present you are pure in spirit, then it is you yourself who have caused it. If you are afflicted by misfortune, again it is assuredly the result of acts done by you. Hence, you must realize that your happiness and good fortune lie in your own hands; it depends on your decision. Unless you yearn, you cannot earn. So, it is clear that the will inherent in you is beyond all situations and conditions, all formations and transformations. The freedom that it represents is the result of your past acts. It is powerful, supreme and infinitely fruitful.
– Sathya Sai Vahini, Chap 7: "The Avatar as a Guru".

Whatever you do, whatever you see, whoever you speak to, saturate it with Divinity. – Baba
 
Divinity is immanent in every being. The same truth was proclaimed in the Bhagavad Gita: Mamaivamsho Jivaloke Jivabhuta Sanathanaha (In this world, every being is eternally an aspect of My Divinity, says the Lord). Since every being is a part of the Divine, all should be respected, loved and adored. You should not hate anybody or create distance between one another. Being a part of the Divine, each one of you should serve society. For whose sake is the existence of man? It is for the sake of society. Similarly, society has its existence for the sake of creation. This is the basis of the entire creation. In fact, creation is the manifestation of God. And you have a unique position in it. Indeed, service to society is the most important duty of each one of you; that will endow you with Divine Power. Service to society is, in reality, service to Divinity.
– Divine Discourse, May 27, 2006
Tender hearts, holy thoughts, loving speech – these invoke Divinity. – Baba
 
Prof : So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, Sir.

Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
Student is silent.

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.




"So you all believe in God?"
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?
Student does not answer.

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen God?
Student:No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes, Faith. And that is the problem science has.

(Now the student said) Can I ask something to you Professor.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, Sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, Sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light... But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man and god is faith. That is all that keeps things moving and alive.
 
Sai Inspires - June 06, 2011

Just as all parts of the body form one organism, similarly all beings are like various limbs of God. When there is an injury to the leg, it is the eye that sheds tears. The same type of intimate relationship exists between God and all the beings. We must realize that our joys and sorrows are the reflections of our own actions; they are not caused by others. To blame others or God for our sorrows is a big mistake. You are your own witness. Every happening in this world is nothing but a 'reaction, reflection and resound'.
– Divine Discourse, May 27, 2006
There is only one royal road for one’s spiritual journey - Love. – Baba
 
Sai Inspires - June 07, 2011
It is the youth and youth alone who can set this world right. No nation can stand without its youth. Never underestimate the capabilities of young people thinking that they are inexperienced and immature. Only the youth are capable of protecting this world; they are endowed with immense power. If they take a firm resolve, they can achieve anything! When they realize their power, they can emancipate nations. You must face all difficulties with forbearance. Accept all trials and tribulations with love. Accept both pleasure and pain with love. Fill your heart with love and not with the poison of evil qualities. Everything is love. The very word ‘love’ is suffused with sweetness. Treat each other with love, converse with each other with love; lead a life full of love and enjoy bliss.
– Divine Discourse, Mar 30, 2006.

Virtue is strength; character is power. – Baba
 
Sai Inspires - June 08, 2011
Education denotes Vidya which is the Knowledge of the Self. This is the foundation of education. Students should acquire sacred education beginning with thoughts of God. Even an illiterate driver in India salutes the steering wheel before he starts the vehicle. Similarly, a musician offers salutation to the musical instrument before playing on it. Thus, when one begins any type of learning it should start with the Name of God and prayer. Every activity should be done as an offering to God without any artificiality and ostentation. Degrees acquired without the essence of education are only pieces of paper. Students must have a pure and sacred heart, and virtues from a sacred education should be reflected on their faces. In fact, every individual should be imbued with divine feelings.
– Divine Discourse, May 30, 2006.

Virtue is the sign of an educated person. – Baba
 
The Fourteen Lokas(taken from Sai Spiritual Showers)


The Puranas speak of Fourteen Lokas. People have adopted the superficial meaning of the names given to these and they classify them into sacred lokas and condemned lokas,—Deva Lokas and Patala Lokas. But, all these lokas do exist in reality, in our own bodies, the bodies which we carry about and care for, seven in the upper part and seven in the lower part.

Which is the upper part of the human body? It is the head, the Trikuta Peak, the Crown, the Higher Region. Seven lokas are situated therein. They are the Garuda Loka, the Gandharva Loka, the Yaksha Loka, the Kinnara Loka and the Kimpurusha Loka. They are all situated in the Head. The Garuda Loka is in the Nose, the seat of inhalation and exhalation. The Gandharva Loka is in the Eye. The Yaksha Loka is in the tongue. Kinnara Loka is in the Ear and the Kimpurusha, the skin, seat of the Sense of Touch. Though the names of the Lokas are five, there are seven regions to which the name applies. The Nose is the first, the eyes are the second and the third, the tongue is the fourth, the ears are the fifth and the sixth, and the skin, the seventh. These seven are the Upper Lokas.

Those who sanctify these lokas by recognising the respective organs as instruments for higher ideals can be deemed worthy of human existence. That is to say, inhaling unpolluted air, seeing auspicious sights, hearing heartening sounds, etc. These Lokas when properly cultivated, can make man divine.

Dost thou know why you are given eyes?
To see whatever can be seen!
No! No!
To fill the eye with Vision of God
Who resides on Kailash Mount.
We have to cast our looks at sacred sights. We must visualise in every one only the good and the godly. That is the purpose for which God has equipped us with eyes. He has not gifted them to us to observe and judge others, to follow people into the bazaar, to see unsightly things like films.

Dost thou know why you have a tongue?
To dispatch tasty foods in?
No! No!
The prime purpose is not to enable us to swallow our meals. The object is to utter holy words. When some one is narrating some good incidents, the ears show no inclination to listen. But when one whispers something confidential to another, the ears jointly seek to overhear. Is it for this that God has blessed us with ears?
Therefore, the seven higher lokas have to be utilised for Divine ends. When that is done, one becomes divinised, one is liberated.

The rest of the Lokas are intended for the maintenance of the physical frame in which we are enclosed. The stomach is the petrol tank, so to say. When that is filled, every limb and cell of the body is supplied with energy and activised, to execute the beneficial duties assigned to each. With the two hands and the two legs, these make five lokas. The two others are the anal and the urinal parts.

These Seven nether Lokas maintain the physical body.
Both the higher seven and the lower seven are necessary; they complement each other. The lower lokas are the Patala lokas according to Puranas. They form the foundation, the base. Those who long for flowers and fruits have to feed the unseen roots. Patala too should not be neglected merely because they are described as "low". Joy has to be churned from grief. Pleasure is a product of pain.
 
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Sai Inspires - June 11, 2011
Develop Love. When we come into this world, it is only love that comes with us. From love arises truth. When love and truth come together, humanness finds its sustenance. The mansion of human life can be built with self-confidence as the foundation, self-satisfaction as the pillar and self-sacrifice as the roof. Only then, can you attain self-realization in this life. You should begin with self-confidence; without it, you cannot have happiness in life. How can one without self-confidence have confidence in others? Do not doubt anything and everything. Doubt endangers life; one who doubts will not achieve anything. Develop faith. Give up all wicked qualities and lead an ideal and blissful life. Humanness finds fulfillment and blossoms only in a pure heart.
– Divine Discourse, May 30, 2006.

Fill your hearts with the light of love so that the evil qualities of hate, greed and conceit can find no place therein. – Baba
 
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