SBOI-Group| Pictures | Audio-Video | Wallpapers| Greeting-cards | Ashrams Info. | Sai news
|
--- Kamaraju Anil Kumar kausalya varaśukti garbhamauţanu gadā rāmuḍu dēvuḍai ramaṇa gānce sītāmahāsādhvi celagi pencuţa gadā kavalu kuśalavulu ghanulu nairi jijiyā lalāmayē celagi pencuţa gadā vīrasivājiyu pēru gānce putalibāyiyē ranjilli pencuţa gadā gāndhi mahātmuḍai ghanata gānce īśvarmbā sādhvi yetti pencuţa gadā satyasāyīśunḍu cāţi kīrti prāṇikōţi yī vidhi parimaļince aharahambuna brōceḍi ammakanţe ādarambagu vastuvu avani galade amma prathamāksharambu ādyaksharambu
“Isn’t his birth in the best of
pearl oysters, Kausalya’s womb, That elevated Rama to such illustrious divinity? Isn’t the chaste Sita’s loving upbringing That made the twins, Kusa and Lava, ever so great? Isn’t the illustrious Jijiya’s tender care That made Sivaji such a famous warrior? Isn’t the upright Putalibai’s tender care That made Gandhi a Mahatma? Isn’t the virtuous Easwaramba’s gentle nurture That made Sathya Sai’s glory Waft its fragrance over all beings in this way? Is there on this earth anything more worthy of devotion? Than your unfailing, unceasing protector, your “amma”? Of all mystic syllables, “Amma” is the first and the foremost.”
How aptly, elegantly, and beautifully Swami has brought out Mother’s pre-eminence and prestige! We need to realise how Swami has turned his birthday into an occasion for proclaiming to the world in simple Telugu the greatness and glory of motherhood. Lord Rama, it appears, owes his divinity to being born in Kausalya’s womb. Kusa and Lava, it appears, won everlasting fame only by virtue of being brought up by that noble lady, Sita. Sivaji, it appears, owes his place in history solely to his pious mother, Jijiya. The key to Gandhi’s becoming a Mahatma is, it appears, his upright mother, Putalibai. The secret of the amazing world renown of Sri Sathya Sai, the incarnation of divinity, it appears, is holy mother, Easwaramba.
kannu vippi cūḍarō rannā śrīsāyi dēvuni ennagā entainā kalaḍannā munnu shirḍi nēḍu parti unnavāḍani pērē gāni <kannu> tannu bhāvana cēyu bhaktula kannulandē melagunannā <kannu> utta māţalacēta cittamu sattu cittānandamu nondadu vittanambulu lēni bhūmilō mottamuga panţēmi panḍadu <kannu> rōgamunu arikaţţa nēraka yōgi yainanu patana mondunu bhōgamunu viḍanāḍu vārikē yōgamadi labhiyincu nayyā<kannu> oţţi māţala vāḍu kādannā ī sāyi dēvuḍu buţţabommala cūḍa bōḍannā paţţu baţţala kaţţi bhaktula cuţţu tirugēţi puţţa svāmini<kannu> indriyamulu manasu nilpina andhuḍainanu mukti pondunu indriyamulu nigrahincani indruḍainanu patana mondunu<kannu>
“Open your eyes wide, Brother! Behold Lord Sri Sai! He is beyond our reckoning, O Brother, Though all we see is that he is supposed to be From Shirdi once and Parthi today. Indeed he moves about before the eyes Of devotees contemplating him. Even as no land yields a crop Unless seeds are sown, Mere words cannot offer the mind Being-Awareness-Bliss. Lacking the power to arrest disease A yogi too begins to decay; Only those, sir, who relinquish luxury Can truly obtain yoga.
This Lord Sai is not given to
empty boasts, Playing with performing dolls; Dressed all in silks, this Puttaparthi Swami Himself goes round and round his devotees. Holding at a standstill the senses and the mind, Even a blind man can attain salvation; One failing to curb the senses surely decays, Even though he is Indra himself. ”
The festival of Bhagavan Baba’s Birthday is indeed that of Paramasiva. The following is the poem a celebrated poet of Andhra Pradesh, an esteemed teacher of mine, Jandhyala Papayya Sastry, known as “Karunasri,’ recited in the divine presence on Bhagavan Baba’s fiftieth birthday, much to the ecstatic delight of the thousands of devotees assembled there.
bhagavānuḍu puţţina panḍuga parama śivuḍu puţţina panḍuga jaganmāta satyasāyiyai jagatīsthali meţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> vividha gaṇam gaganāngaṇamuna vijayabhēri koţţina panḍuga viśvāsam vēda savitriki vellagoḍugu paţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu manujuni śīrshampai dēvuḍu maṇi makuţam peţţina panḍuga bhārati naludikkula mangaļa tōraṇālu kaţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> akshayamagu kārtika kaumudi ātmala jōkoţţina panḍuga ushah kāla brāhma muhūrtam urvini sukha peţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> “īśvarāmba” “īśvarāmba”yani visvam jayapeţţina panḍuga aditi dēvakī kausalyala harsham minu muţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> satyadharmaśāntiprēmalu janula vīpu taţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> divyatvam prēmatatvamai dīnula cēpaţţina panḍuga daivam avatāram dālici dharmam nilabeţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> lōkēśuḍu viśvaprēmanu śrīkāram cuţţina panḍuga śāntiratham vijayapatākam kāntipatham muţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> bhagavānuḍu puţţina panḍuga parama śivuḍu puţţina panḍuga jaganmāta satyasāyiyai jagatīsthali meţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu> bhagavānuḍu puţţina panḍuga parama śivuḍu puţţina panḍuga jaganmāta satyasāyiyai jagatīsthali meţţina panḍuga< bhagavānuḍu>
“This is the festival of the Lord’s Birthday, This, the festival of Supreme Siva’s Birthday, This festival day at this spot the Mother of the Universe Descended as Sathya Sai to the earth. This festival day the demigods sound the drums Across the courtyards of the heavens; This festival day is the day to honour Veda Savitri with due ceremony. This festival day on the head of Man The Lord placed a jewelled crown; This festival day auspicious festoons Sprang up on the four sides of Bharat. This festival day in the bright Kartika month of Akshaya (the flourishing year), The souls of men were soothed; This festival day Mother Earth rejoiced In the sacred hour before dawn, Brahmamuhurta. This festival day the entire universe With one voice hailed, “Easwaramba,” “Easwaramba!” This festival day the unbounded joy Of Aditi, Dēvakī, and Kausalya touched the skies. This festival day Truth, Righteousness, Peace, and Love Came alive among men This festival day Divinity turned into Love To take charge of the helpless miserable This festival day the Lord of the world Launched the programme of Universal Love; This festival day the flag of victory On the chariot of peace points to the path of Light This is the festival of the Lord’s Birthday, This, the festival of Supreme Siva’s Birthday, This festival day at this spot the Mother of the Universe Descended as Sathya Sai to the earth. ”
Lord Srinivasa is moving among us as Sri Sathya Sai. Once he asked a devotee, “What do you want?” His reply is literally the supreme Truth: “Swami! What is there for me to ask when you are the divinity who grants us everything without our asking? What is there that you have not given me? What do I lack?” All we need to do is to seek his mercy. Anyathā śāraṇam nāsti, “Other than you, refuge there is none.”
vishayavānchalu ninnu vēţāḍu tari nīvu nōretti sāyīśa śaraṇamanumu kashţa paramparal kālduvvinappuḍu karametti sāyīśa kāvumanumu samsāra tāpamul sanghāţillinapuḍu manasāra sāyīśa maruvananumu madini madahamkāra modalina yapuḍu talavanci sāyīśa dāsuḍanumu satyabhāshivai sāyīśu sākshi ganumu mōksha māśinci sāyīśu mrōla mānumu viśvamōhanagānamu vīnulalara ālapincina śyāmuḍe itaḍu summi
“When worldly desires begin to hound you Raise you voice and cry, “Sayisa! Save Me!” When troubles pile up to challenge you Raise your hands and pray, “Sayisa! Save Me!” When domestic quarrels heat up, Cry with all your heart, “Sayisa! I won’t forget you!” When in the mind terrible arrogance raises its hood Bow down your head and say, “Sayisa! I am your servant!” Speaking the truth, let Sayisa be your witness. Seeking salvation, approach Sayisa. He is the one, who sang the world-enthralling song, That feast for the ears, Syam himself!”
The nature and incarnation of Bhagavan is a blend of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. On any festival day, people come in such large numbers that, as the Telugu expression runs, a shower of sand will not touch the ground. Crowds upon crowds gather wherever Swami goes. There is always excitement; Perpetual Wellbeing, Perpetual Green Festoons! When Swami goes out to inspect some construction work, crowds run after him. Where does this divine magnetism lie?
śīrshapīţhikamunan dēmunnadō gāni mrōgucunnadi ninnu mrokkinapuḍu h ṛdayapīţhamunan dēmunnadō gāni toṇukucunnadi ninnu talacinapuḍu ī manahpīţhamunan dēmunnadō gāni jārucunnadi ninnu kōrinapuḍu
“I don’t know what there is in the tablet of my head, It makes a sound when I bow down to you, I don’t know what there is in the tablet of my heart, It produces a tremor when I think of you. I don’t know what there is in the tablet of my mind, It begins to slip away when I desire you.”
One morning in Brindavan Swami was gently and gracefully coming down the steps. There are many peacocks, deer, and ducks in Brindavan. The flower garden is very beautiful and a pleasant breeze is blowing. As the sun was rising, and cast his red rays on Swami, the scene gained an added charm. In the course of his conversation with the people assembled there, he remarked, “Have you noticed this! At the sight of Swami, how happy the peacocks are, spreading their tails and dancing! The ducks too beat their wings in the water! The deer approach me running! These flowers are waving in the air! Nature herself is thrilled. How happy should people be? They should not put on long faces, as if, as the Telugu expression runs, they have consumed castor oil.” During the incarnation of Krishna also the same thing seems to have happened. Cows would not go about grazing till they had darśan of Krishna nor the cowherd boys eat. As for the cowherdesses, nothing needs to be said about them. They won’t have even a sip of water. The cowherd boys would not go to sleep unless they hear stories of Krishna. Such was their devotion.
gōpāla nīvu dṛggōcaram bavakunna gōvulu garikaina korakavanţa nī darśanamu lēka nīvu centanu lēka gōpabāluru kūḍu guḍuvaranţa nīvu kanpincaka nī sēvalunu lēka gōpikal nīrambu guḍuvaranţa nī kathal vinakunḍa nī muccaţalu lēka gōpakulunu kannu gūrkaranţa nandanandana gōpikā nanya bhakti viśva vyāptambu dīniki sāţi galade intakannanu vēreddi erukaparatu sādhusadguṇagaṇyulau sabhyulāra!
“Gōpāla! If you are not to be seen, they say, The cows don’t even touch a blade of grass. Without your company or at least darśan, they say, The cowherd boys don’t touch their food. Without seeing you or serving you, they say, The cowherdesses don’t touch even water. Without listening to your stories, your exploits, they say, The cowherd boys don’t have a wink of sleep The cowherdesses’ unparalleled devotion for Nanda’s son Permeates the whole world. Is there any to match them? What more need I add, O Gentle, honoured members of this august assembly!”
Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, one of the celebrated devotees of Bhagavan Baba and a master of several languages, held a number of important positions in the country, and accompanied Bhagavan on his tour of North India. Once while Dr. Rao was governor of Uttar Pradesh, he and his wife happened to travel by a fast train and fire broke out in their compartment. Sai devotees are familiar with how a railway employee in uniform entered the compartment, made the necessary repair, and made his exit out of the running train, and how Bhagavan, the mysterious employee, narrated the sequence of events to them subsequently. Similarly how they were saved from a plane accident is also well known. Dr Rao is an accomplished poet as well. Here is a poem he wrote on seeing the multitudes that wait longing desperately for Bhagavan’s darśan.
vēla janammu darśanamu vēmaru sēyaka vēciyindurē vēļanu nē sthalamunaku veļļina nī kutilālakābhramul lālana sēyu nī mukha vilāsamu gangonu bhāgyalālasul pālana sētu vellara kṛpāmati darśana sparśanādulan
“Don’t thousands of people again and again wait for your darśan? When I am there punctually, your sporting ringlets comfort me. Those enamoured of the charm of your countenance, You bless with the fortune of touching your feet and darśan.” This is the way you shower your mercy on each.”
It is no wonder then that there is universally the kind of response expressed in the following verses.
ē dēśamēginā mī nāmamē sumī ē mūla cūcinā mī rūpamē sumī ē nōţa vinnā mī mahimalē sumī ē cōţa kēginā mī bhāshaṇē sumī ē jīvini palkarincinā mī līlalē sumī
‘Your name alone, whichever be the country visited! Your form alone, whichever way we may turn! Your miracles alone, whoever may be the speaker! Your speeches alone, wherever we go! Your actions alone, whomever we address!
In fact, without acquiring religious merit over several births, it is not possible to have the good fortune of having his darśan. This is not to be gained merely through spiritual practices like chanting the divine name and penance.
japamula nenniyō salipi janmamula lekkagona ghōramaina tapamul cēsiyun daivamunu gāncaka tallaḍilla mī ripuḍu ayācitambuga nanu gānanga nikkaḍa mī repuḍonarinci yunţirō iţţi phalamu gānca puṇyamul
“Many devotees over countless births Chanted ever so many sacred names And undertook severe austerities too; Not finding God still, they are troubled. As for you, right here and now, Unasked, you are able to see me All because long long ago you had acquired Some merit, realised in this fashion.”
Since God himself is our support, we are never alone. We need.not agonise over our spiritual path. Swami is our shelter.
ēlā nirāśā sāyīśu ḍunḍaga ēlā nirāśā partīśu ḍunḍaga pālincu sāyi nī prakkane nilabaḍi ālakincucu nīku anḍaganunḍaga <ēlā> tallibiḍḍalu gūḍi vēļa vēļalayandu sāyināthuni bhajana salupucunḍaga prēmincu sāyi nī prāpai yunḍaga paścāttāpamu lēla paḍabōyedavu manasā< ēlā> pāramārthikamulalō paḍarāni bādhalalō paḍucunna bhaktulaku paţţukommai yunḍa dīvincu dēvuḍu nī dikkai yunḍaga dīna cintala kēla digu londedavu manāsā< ēlā>
“Why despair, when you have Parthisa with you? Why despair, when you have Sayisa with you? When Sai, the saviour, standing by your side Is listening to you and supporting you. When the mother and children at all times Go on conducting bhajans of Sainath, While loving Lord Sai is your pillar of strength, O Mind, why do you indulge in regrets? When Sai is there as the refuge, for devotees Going through agony on their spiritual path, When the Lord who blesses is your support Why do you yield to anxious thoughts, O Mind! ”
Nature, Splendour, and Beauty are mesmerised by the name, “Sai” Notice the spiritual activities, chanting Ōmkāram, Suprabhātam, and Nagarasankīrtan going on in Prashanthinilayam in the hours before dawn, the Brahmamuhurtam. Everywhere you see the ecstasy of chanting the divine name of Sai. The entire neighbourhood seems to burst out with echoes of the divine name.
sāyināmame hāyi smariyincucunḍancu vṛkshamul talalūpi balkucunḍa sāyināmamē hāyi smariyincucunḍancu pakshisantānamul palkucunḍa sāyināmame hāyi smariyincucunḍancu kusumālu vāsanal kuriyucunḍa sāyināmame hāyi smariyincucunḍancu tummedal jhummani krammucunḍa ākasamununḍi yiviye sabdamulu vaccu bhūminunḍi yiviye sabdamulu vaccu sāyibābā yanucu sarvadikkulandu pikkaţillucunḍunu partiyandu
“There is joy in Sai, remember this,” Say the trees, nodding their heads; “There is joy in Sai, remember this,” Sing the little ones, the fledglings, “There is joy in Sai, remember this,” Say the flowers, scattering their fragrance, “There is joy in Sai, remember this,” Hum the bees crowding the hive. This is the message from the sky, This is the message from the earth. “Sai Baba,” from all quarters Rises and swells all over Parthi”
Really, what is it that we need? Are not all pleasures and enjoyment the fruit of Sai’s name? Does not that name put an end to worries of the mundane life? Then, there is nothing to be sought. We have to seek only Swami. Conversing with boys of the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Swami asked a boy, “What do you want?” The instant response is, “I want you, Swami.” What is to be sought is Swami’s service alone.
sāyināmame nīku pratipanna bhāgyambu jīvanādhārambu jīvitambu sāyirāmuḍē prākaţa daivambu bhajiyimpa sēvimpa śrīkarambu sāyi kṛshṇuḍē nīku rakshakarājambu samsāra kshiti nārpa satpathambu sāyisivuḍē nīku sarva bandhu balagambu sakala bhōga phalambu sammatambu sāyisēvayē nīkinka kāmitambu sāyināmame nīkinka sudhīmatambu sāyibhajanaye nīkinka sujanavibhrājitambu
“The name “Sai” is indeed a great fortune gained, It is your life support, your life itself. Sairam indeed is God manifest, Blessed indeed is his worship and service.. Sai Krishna indeed is your supreme saviour, The right path to end every loss in mundane life. Sai Siva indeed is your family circle entire, The sum of all pleasures approved. Hereafter Sai’s service is your goal. Hereafter Sai’s name is the counsel of the wise. Hereafter Sai’s worship is your luminous companion.”
Bhagavan is easily accessible to all worshippers. He values only the heart, not the exterior, only the intent, not the outward show. For him it is the spirit that counts, not erudition. He takes into account only practice, not words, however pompous they may be. He values our values, not our property, position, or prestige.
śrīmantulaku gāni cikkabōḍandurā bhaktakucēlu aisvaryamenta? panḍitulaku gāni vaśamu gāḍandurā nijamugā guhuni pānḍityamenta? saudhambulam gāni cariyinturandurā sarisari viduruni saudhamenta? tāpasulaku gāni cikkapōḍandurā uḍuta tapambenta? kaḍima enta? nāţiki nāţiki vishayacintalu vīḍi nēnu nādanu garvambu nēḍe vīḍi śaraṇu vēḍumu śrīsatya sāyi dēvu pādapadmambu manmanōbhramararāja.
“If you say he is inaccessible except for the wealthy, How much was that devotee Kuchela’s wealth? If you say he is not amenable except for scholars, To speak the truth, what was the erudition of Guha? If you say he does not stay anywhere except in mansions, Well, how big was Vidura’s mansion? If you say he is not caught by any except ascetics, How much was the squirrel’s penance? Its strength? Giving up gradually worldly desires, Giving up right now the haughtiness of ‘I’ and ‘mine,’ Seek refuge in Lord Sathya Sai’s Lotus feet, O King Bee, my Heart!”
Life has its ups and downs, and is full of worries. Whether we enjoy something or miss it, we have to experience both according to our prarabdha, the karma from earlier births. All the while, worry continues to depress us. Worship of Sai gives us the capacity to wipe away worry altogether.
puţţuţayē cinta bhūmi nunḍuţa cinta samsāra moka cinta cāvu cinta bālyamantayu cinta vārdhakya moka cinta jīvincu ţoka cinta ceḍupu cinta karmalanniyu cinta kashţambu loka cinta santasa moka cinta vinta cinta sarvacintalu bāpeḍu sāyi bhakti konuḍu yikanaina janulāra kōrke mīra intakannanu vēreddi erukaparatu sādhusadguṇagaṇyulau sabhyulāra!
Birth itself is a worry, being on earth another, Mundane life is a worry, death another, Childhood entire is a worry, old age another, Being alive is a worry, loss another, Actions all are a worry, troubles another, At least now, O People, to your heart’s content, Worship Sai, who wipes away all worries! What more need I add, O Gentle, honoured members of this august assembly!”
It is “out of love and affection for all” that Bhagavan assumed a physical body to grant us his presence and proximity. But his true nature is formless, attributeless, devoid of attachment, final abode, unsullied, and free. Those acquainted with Sathya Sai literature may recapitulate the truths Bhagavan has disclosed on this matter. More than fifty years ago Swami explained his true nature. There is an aspect well known to those familiar with the life of Adi Sankara. The guru asked him, “Who has come?” The way Adi Sankara introduced himself and Bhagavan Baba’s explanation of his own nature appear to be the same. Let us turn to the nature of Existence-Awareness-Bliss.
ēnu daivambu tadbhinna mēmi kānu ā yakhanḍa parabrahma yaudu nēnu vyathayu klēśammu nannu spṛśincabōvu saccidānanduḍanu nēnu bhinna mēnu kānu nitya tṛptuḍu bhīti nan cērabōdu ullamā palku nīvōtatsaţancu
“I am God, and no other, That indivisible Parabrahma am I, Agony and trouble do not touch me, I am Existence-Awareness-Bliss, and no other, I am ever content, and fearless. O heart! Say, Om Tat Sat.”
In the Bhagavadgita (chapter Vibhutiyoga), the embodiment of the Supreme Spirit, the charioteer of Arjuna, Sri Krishna declares, “I am everything.” ahamātmā guḍākēśa sarvabhūtāśayasthitah ahamādiśca madhyamca bhūtānāmanta ēva ca, “Gudakesa! I am the soul, present in all beings; I am the beginning, the middle, and also the end of all beings.” He declares, “I am indeed the Sun, the Moon, the Ocean; I am the Himalayas, Varuna, Time, the Lion, Garuda, the month of Margasira, the Spring season, Fire, the divine horse Uccaihsrava, the Wish-fulfilling Cow, the serpent Vasuki, Wind, and the Crocodile. I myself am everything.” An echo of these is found in Bhagavan’s words. One does not fail to recognise that this perhaps is what is meant by absolute non-dualism.
idi ghaţa mbidi paţa mbidi gṛha mmidi kuḍya midi araṇyamu śaila madi yaţancu idi bhūmiyidi jalam bitaḍu vaiśvānarun ḍidi gāli ākasam bidi yaţancu itaḍu divākarun ḍitaḍu niśākarun ḍivi tāralu grahambu livi yaţancu ivi acētanamuţa ivi cētanamulaţan cata ḍītaḍitaḍātaḍē yaţancu araya nākanţe bhinnambulai jaḍambu laina bāhya padārtha sahitamulella sādhanalu lēka erigeḍi sākshi nagucu nēnu cidrūpuḍancu mīrerugarayya
“Saying, ‘This is a pot, this a picture, this a wall, This a forest, and that a mountain,’ Saying, ‘This is the earth, this water, and this one fire,’ Saying, ‘This is air and this the sky,’ Saying, ‘This one is the sun, this one the moon,’ Saying, ‘These are stars, these planets,’ These are said to be inanimate, these animate, Adding, ‘He is this one, this one He indeed,’ O Sir! Ponder further and realise: For all the inert and physical material Without the means of cognising me, I am the eternal Witness; I am indeed Pure Consciousness.”
The formless. attributeless principle, “out of love and affection for all,” has come down with form and attributes as the unique avatar, Sathya Sai, to bestow beneficence and blessings on us. Can there be anyone unwise enough to miss this golden opportunity? If there is, what a misfortune it is!
cikkina sāyini vakkalēyaka cakka cēsukonḍī pōyina cikkadu partīśuni pādasēva yanḍī bhaktini icci śaktilō munci mukti jērcu nanḍī ēka mansutō nammi sāyini koluva bōnḍī itarula māţalu impuga nammi kompa tīyakanḍī nērcukonḍi nērcukonḍi buddhulanniyu tīrcukonḍī karmalu
“Pull up yourselves, Sir! Quickly make the Sai you found your own. Once missed, sir, service of Parthisa is gone for ever! Bestowing devotion, infusing strength, sir, he grants salvation. With full faith, offer worship to Sai! Sir, easily believing others’ words, don’t ruin yourselves! Come to your senses, come, Sir! Discharge your duties!”
Whole hearted worship pleases Swami. He looks not at the offering, but the one making the offering. He looks at your worth, not at what you offer.
citta śuddhi tōḍa cēsina pūjaku maţţi pātra cālu mahini cūḍa vitta munna danucu virravīgina vāḍu patana maguţa nijamu parti sūkti
“For the worship offered with all your heart, Even a little clay pot will suffice, if you closely observe; On the other hand, one puffed up by riches,” The Lord of Parthi declares, “is surely doomed.”
Once Swami made this jocular comment about the food we offer during worship: “The sight of the food for the Deity, the taste of it for yourselves.” In the temple we receive as consecrated food the offering made to God; we need to question ourselves whether we are ready to make an offering if the deity truly begins consuming it. We have indeed prepared the naivēdyam, food offering, for our own pleasure and satisfaction. When all forms are his, which one shall we decide upon as his? When the vast oceans are his, how are we to perform abhshēkam, the ritual bath? While we pray to him describing him as “luminous like a million suns,” what is the point of dīpārādhana, ritual lighting of the lamp? What are we to make of that principle which is beyond the comprehension of Brahma?
brahmāṇḍa mantayu bojjalō nunḍaga bhakshya bhōjyamu nāku peţţa taguna sarva jīvulayandu sancarinceḍi nāku sariyaina pēriḍa sādhya maguna sarva jalambula sancarinceḍi nāku snānambu cēyimpa nalavi yaguna kōţi sūryula kānti mēţi kalgina nāku pramida dīpamu neţlu peţţa galaru? ajaharādula kainanu andanaţţi iţţi nā rūpu kanugona nevari taramu intakannanu vēreddi erukaparatu sādhusadguṇagaṇyulau sabhyulāra!
“Is your offering me of all kinds of sweets appropriate, When I hold the entire universe in my stomach? Can you possibly give me a name, much less the right one, When I move about in all beings? Is giving me a bath feasible, When I move about in all the waters? How can you possibly light the oil-wick lamp for me, When my effulgence exceeds that of a million suns? Is it possible for any to grasp my form Which is beyond the ken of even Brahma and Hara? What more need I add, O Gentle, honoured members of this august assembly!”
Once we seek shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, we have no business with anyone. No need to beg, no need to be a hanger on, no need to be frustrated. No scope at all for humiliation. Has not Sri Krishna given us his word on this matter? ananyāścintayantō mām yē janāh paryupāsatē tēshām nityābhiyuktānām yōgakshēmam vahāmyaham, “I will secure and preserve the well being of any who contemplate me and no other, worship me and are ever devoted to me.”
kāmitārthamiccu kāmadhēnuvu rāga dhanamicci yāvunu konaga nēla? minceḍi kāntitō mēru parvatamunḍa venḍi bangārukai vetuka nēla? aḍigina phalamiccu kalpavṛkshame yunḍa peraţi vṛkshamunakai prīti ēla? bhaktimuktulanicce bhagavantu ḍindunḍa pāḍu samsārambu kōra nēla?
“When the divine Kanmadhenu has come to fulfil your every wish, Why do you spend money on buying an ordinary cow? When you have with you the luminous Mount Meru itself, Why do you go out in search of silver and gold? When you have the Kalpavṛksha, which gives you anything you seek, Why do you have this craving for the tree in the backyard? When you have right here the Lord who grants devotion and liberation, Why do you have this yearning for the wretched mundane life?”
Sai, the almighty eternal witness directing and overseeing the worlds, is within our reach only “out of love and affection for all.” Can there be any other reason for this?
kramamu tappaka minţa pratidinambunu bhānu ḍudayastamayamula nanda nēla? gaganambunakau kāntikai sēyu tāralu pagalu mātramu dāgu bhangi yēla? | ||||
True to
the caution, pilaci parīkshimpuḍu mī pilupu hṛdantaramununḍi
pekalagavalayun, “Cry out for him? Test him? But that cry must be yanked
from the inmost recesses of your heart,” Sri Sathya Sai is a divinity who
responds to your call. For devotees, he is ever accessible. Swami is
counselling us to give up sensual indulgence and turn to yoga, union with
the divine.