tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762375706650929852024-03-05T12:43:40.857+05:30Voyage towards the selfA never-ending quest for answers to life's myriad questions! Sometimes, I understand and most often, I don't. But, I take everything as part of the lesson called 'LIFE'! As I read somewhere, experience is a tough teacher; she gives the test first and the lesson later. This blog will reflect my thoughts of life as I see it.Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-6530965904380903512016-02-25T10:01:00.001+05:302016-02-25T10:04:08.023+05:30Do not believe people who masquerade as the Shiva-Shakti Avatar Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I post below an article which came today through email from Sai Spiritual Showers. This has been shared by Dr. Somenath Mitra. This is very relevant in the current context. Note: 'December 198I' must be a few years after 1984, I guess. I think there is a typo there, though I am unable to correct it simply because I do not know which year it was. Maybe it is '1987'.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we are blinded by temptations. Then, even the simplest logic cannot penetrate our mind. We overlook explicit warnings given by the Lord. Three years ago, unfortunately I fell a prey to such a temptation and went through a tremendous amount of suffering.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It all happened in the summer of 1984 when I went to Karnataka to visit my parents. Through a friend, we (I and my parents) met a man who claimed to be the incarnation of Shakti, the 'Divine Mother'. We were then told that Baba frequently manifests in him and everything he says is actually Swami's message to whoever prays for it.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The story was temptingly attractive because Baba is the incarnation of Siva-Shakti. We completely succumbed to the possibility of overnight salvation and the assured solution to all our worldly problems. In the process we completely ignored Baba's repeated warnings that He does not talk or work through a third person.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A person who can lie in the name of Swami in spite of being aware of His being Divine can stoop to any level. That exactly was the case with this man. Eventually he caused us a lot of grief and damage. I would not go into details, but what was worse was that we completely lost confidence and faith in our own selves. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This man slowly enslaved us; his threats induced fear and his orders caused anguish. This went on for nearly two years. In December 198I I visited Karnataka again for a month. What I faced for a month was atrocious and this man did the worst possible things claiming them to be Swami's instructions.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I returned to the States, I was totally confused, terribly depressed and became a nervous wreck. I could not forget what I had gone through and was completely torn apart. My parents were worried about me. They visited Puttaparthi. They held a letter to Baba praying for my well-being. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Baba is omniscient. During Darshan He walked straight to my father and accepted the letter. When I was informed about this act of grace, I got a gleam of hope but I was still in the grip of fear, doubt and depression. I could not meditate or do my work at the university. Several times I felt as if I was losing my sanity.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One morning while lying depressed in my bed the inner voice said "Only the Lord can save me, I have to surrender to Him" and I prayed. I called Baba with all my heart. This time He answered; within a few minutes I felt a change. I could feel inner strength; all of a sudden, my depression was gone and I was my own self again. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No more blind faith" I decided. I have to find out from Baba about this whole 'Shakti' business. I also realised that there were others like me who were in the same boat as I was, trapped by this man but unable to leave him because they thought that he was Swami's instrument.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I decided to write to Swami. I made discreet enquiries from Sai devotees in New York whether Swami ever replies to letters or not. Everyone said no one had heard of such an incident and the chances were rather remote. However, something inside me kept telling me that Baba will rescue me and answer my query. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I thought "Swami receives thousands of letters every day. How can I expect Him to write to me?" But the inner voice was very strong and I wrote a long explicit letter to Baba; I poured my heart out since He was the only one I could confide in.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is true that in His infinite mercy He always comes to the rescue of the needy. Within a few days I received a telegram from Swami which clearly said "The Shakti matter is completely false and of bad quality." He also instructed me "not to believe such people", not to "follow them blindly" and to "inform others" who had fallen into this man's trap, which I promptly did.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Blessed are we who live in this point of time, when the Lord directly comes to our rescue when we get into trouble even though we disobey Him.</span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-20285136570612829822015-11-25T16:17:00.001+05:302016-01-12T20:16:18.556+05:30My first Raksha Bandhan with my beloved Swami, Sai Krishna<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today is Karthigai Deepam, a festival
celebrated by Tamilians. And we too are celebrating it at home. This festival
is special for brothers and sisters, just as Raksha Bandhan is in North India. So
I am putting up this post as my humble offering and tribute to my beloved Anna Sai Krishna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On July 19, 2013, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was thinking of how Swami had responded to me as my elder brother on
Krishnashtami the previous year (<a href="http://voyagetowardstheself.blogspot.in/2012/08/a-beautiful-krishna-janmashtami.html">http://voyagetowardstheself.blogspot.in/2012/08/a-beautiful-krishna-janmashtami.html</a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I immediately
felt I should send Him a Rakhi and greeting card to Prasanthi Nilayam for
Raksha Bandhan that was coming up on August 20, 2013. So I sat and wrote a detailed
letter to Swami explaining how He is my brother Krishna, etc., etc., and how I
am His Draupadi. I also said that He should uphold His promise to me and said I
wanted to send a Rakhi and card for Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The next day on
July 20, 2013, I read somewhere that on one occasion when Lord Krishna cut His
finger while cutting sugar cane, Draupadi instantly tore off a bit of her saree
to tie up His bleeding finger. Krishna then said that she'd tied Him up in debt.
He added that He would repay when the time came and He would protect her. I was
very moved on reading this and prayed earnestly to Bhagawan to shower His grace
upon me, just like He did for Draupadi. I later bought one Rakhi and kept it
aside for Bhagawan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cut to August 1, 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I bought 2 new Rakhis that morning
and thought I would send them to Puttaparthi for Bhagawan and also for a very
dear and caring Sai brother but had some hesitation. This is
because on one side I was angry and fighting with Swami as I was worried about my
mother's impending cataract surgery the next day (August 2, 2013). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two days earlier, on July 31,
2013, when we went to Sankara Netralaya in Chennai for a thorough check-up by
the physician, he checked mom's BP and said it was quite high. He said that he
would give tablets for the next 2 days and only if the BP was normal on the
morning of August 2, mom would be taken in for surgery. Naturally mom, dad and
I were worried and not sure whether the surgery would happen or not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On August 1, 2013, as I wrote
earlier, I was mad at Swami but prayed to Him about the Rakhis as well as mom's
surgery the next day. I wrote a letter to Him and prayed intensely about
various things that were troubling me. I told Him that it was He who gave me
the thought of comparing myself to Draupadi the previous year, and not Radha or
Meera. I added that since He had promised as my brother, He should take care
of everything. I also told Him that I hoped He would accept my love through the
Rakhi and greeting card I was planning to send Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That night, I told Swami that I would
open a book and look for a message just before I went to sleep around midnight.
I told Him it could be anything and nothing specific. The book I opened was ‘Students
with Sai – Conversations - Part 1 - 1991 to 2000’ (<a href="http://www.saipublications.com/b014_Students_with_sai_conversations_1991_2000.html">http://www.saipublications.com/b014_Students_with_sai_conversations_1991_2000.html</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was indeed pleasantly shocked
at what appeared on the page I opened up. Bhagawan had spoken about Raksha
Bandhan!!! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is what was printed there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">August 19,
1997<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">(The
conversation then shifted to Raksha Bandhan – the previous day being Rakhi
Pournami. Bhagawan disclosed that the practice had started during the
Mahabharatha War)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One day, as
Lord Krishna was about to leave for the battlefield, His sister Subhadra came
and asked if she could tie a Rakhi to His hand and Lord Krishna agreed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tears immediately flowed from my eyes. I thanked Swami for giving me His assurance as my brother and also
giving a positive sign to send the Rakhis and greeting cards to Parthi. I also
knew He would take care of mom's surgery the next day. Needless to say, mom's
BP was normal the next day and her surgery went off successfully. She was back
to normal in 2 weeks itself! </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the story of the Rakhis and
greeting cards did not end there. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On August 8, I couriered the
Rakhis and greeting cards to the brother in Parthi. Little did I realize what
drama Swami had planned ahead!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I kept checking the online
tracking for the courier but it kept saying 'In transit' and so on August 16, I
enquired at the courier office in my area. The person said he'd check and call
back in the evening but didn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I spoke to the brother that night
and he asked me to check if the parcel had reached the courier office in Parthi
and let him know, so that he could then go and collect it. He said because of
the Telengana issue the courier might have reached the office in Parthi but
would not have been delivered inside the ashram.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another interesting thing is that
on August 16, I was searching the Radio Sai web site for a few bhajans in Desh
raga and I stumbled upon 'Sai Kanhaiya'. This is a bhajan I know very well but
for some reason had forgotten it. Swami reminded me about it that particular
day and it got stuck in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I ruminated upon the
meaningful lyrics, it made me cry and I felt it was customized for me because
of its lyrics 'Tum ho mere maa baap bhaiyya, Hridayanivasi Krishna Kanhaiya'.
So I decided to sing it on the upcoming Sunday for Swami in the evening bhajan
at Sai Nivas, the Sai mandir near my house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the meanwhile, I began to get
worried thinking "What if the courier doesn't reach Parthi in time? Maybe I
should offer a card and Rakhi here at Sai Nivas itself. Swami is very much
here." In my mind I said "Swami, you cannot reject my card and Rakhi here. You
have to accept."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That is when I decided to prepare
a small greeting card and write my heartfelt feelings for Swami. I decided to
keep the first Rakhi that I had bought for Him and also sing 'Sai Kanhaiya' for
Him. I told one brother here about this idea and asked him to request one of
our senior elders to keep the card in front of Swami's photo in the altar at
Sai Nivas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the evening of August 18, I
sang the bhajan during the bhajan session. Later, I asked the brother where the
card was placed, since it didn't seem to be in front of Swami's photo. He
pointed out that it is below Swami's footstool in His chair. I smiled. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">More was to come!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> :-)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had a
meeting of all our samithi members regarding various things that evening and I too
attended it. Suddenly, towards the end of the session, one uncle (whom I'd
spoken to in the morning and had even shared about Raksha Bandhan and my Rakhi
offering to Swami) called out my name and said I should share about Raksha
Bandhan and its origin and my experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I initially thought, "Oh, why is
he doing this? I haven't shared this with too many people." But I didn't want
to create a fuss about not speaking. Moreover, I thought it was Swami's will
and blessing that I should talk about this on the mike and so I shared all the
details. Many people (including the convenor) later appreciated and said I
spoke from the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking back, I feel that Swami
created this drama of the courier apparently not reaching the brother in time
just so that I would get prompted to offer the card and Rakhi and the bhajan on
August 18 at Sai Nivas to Him. :) Also, He made me speak about it in His
presence that evening on the mike. What a blessing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">A little detour here. After nearly 2 years I am putting up this blog post. I was a bit hesitant but thought I will still do it as an offering to Swami. Even as I am composing this in my blog and I finished 'What a blessing!' in the previous paragraph, a rose from Swami's photo on my wall fell with a distinct thud on the floor, as if someone took it and put it down. Wow! :) </span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">I have not switched on the fan in my room and so there is no wind to make the rose fall. I'm absolutely sure it is Swami who showed His presence now, accepting this blog post. :) Thank you Swami!</span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To continue the story...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I found out from the courier office the next day that the courier had indeed reached
Parthi but was at the office there.
So I requested the brother to go and collect the package. He did so on August
19, just a day before Raksha Bandhan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wrote a poem in the greeting
card I sent to Parthi for Bhagawan. But sadly I did not make a note of what I
wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">However I did make a note of what
I wrote in the card I offered at Sai Nivas. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And here it is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It is YOU I run to every time I need
help or guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It is YOU I hold on to when in pain or
anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">YOU know my fears, YOU know my tears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">YOU know my ecstasies, YOU know my
efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It is YOUR HAND I clasp firmly all the
time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And it's YOU ALONE I'm totally depending
on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You are my mother, father, brother — MY
ALL-IN-ONE PERSONAL GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You know every fleeting thought and
every letter I'm about to write.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You never forget a prayer, even if I do.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I have come to realize that I am Thee
and You are me,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">for I see your response to every thought
and plea.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">YOU ARE THE CORE OF MY INNER BEING.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">YOU ALONE ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD
WITHIN ME.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Even if I'm incapable on my own, You
have the power to make Your love flow through me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You alone can change anything and
everything.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Dearest
Bhagawan,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tum ho mere maa baap bhaiyya<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hridayanivasi Krishna Kanhaiya<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hridayanivasi Sai Kanhaiya<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Paar karo mere jeevan naiyya.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This sacred bond of love that a sister
ties to her brother, I tie to You today.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In return, I seek Your love as my
protective armour.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">May this Raksha Bandhan between me and
You last for lifetimes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I beseech You to accept this offering of
love and gratitude!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Swami did acknowledge what I
wrote! And how beautifully He did it! :-)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">month later, for my birthday,
the brother sent me a loving wish. And in it he had written "</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Wishing
you a great, fulfilling, Sai-filled life ahead!"</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> and </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Swami will
take care and fill you with His protection and love.... I am sure!!"</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was totally amazed at this
because in my heart I felt that in return for the line 'I seek your love as my
protective armour' I had written in my greeting card, Swami had sent His
promise and reassurance through the words of this brother as my birthday gift,
a month after Raksha Bandhan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings";"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you Swami! You are indeed my eternal and best Anna! :) Happy Karthigai Deepam! :-)</span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-57222092739261449922013-12-16T14:26:00.003+05:302013-12-16T14:26:39.877+05:30Draupadi's surrender to the Lord and how He saves her<span style="color: blue;">When Draupadi is being disrobed by Dusshasana, she wailed that no one of her masters rose to save her, though she called upon them and reminded them of their prowess and valour. Just then, the thought of Krishna, the Saviour, flashed like lightning and filled her drooping heart with courage. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">"Oh Shyamsunder!" she cried out, "This is not an insult dealt to me. Nor is it an infamous injury dealt to the Pandavas. It is an insult, an injury, dealt on you. You are our all. We depend on you for everything. Is it then just that you should now tolerate this cruel injury being perpetrated on our honour? We have dedicated our hearts to you. Listen, I<br />have dedicated myself to you. Perhaps, you are not content with what we have so far offered at your feet. Let your Will prevail." Thus, she surrendered fully and unreservedly, to the Lord.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">At this, the Guardian of the forlorn, the Saviour of those who surrender, the Lord, took upon Himself the burden of rescuing her from distress. He moved in silent and unseen, and blessed her, unnoticed. And wonder of wonders, the sari which the human ogres were attempting to remove in order to disgrace her was rendered endless. Everyone, including the tormentors, were stunned at the demonstration of Krishna's Grace and Draupadi's devotion. Good men and wise realised that Sathya and Dharma can never come to harm. The tears of joy that rolled from their eyes gave proof of the exaltation they experienced. The wicked Dussasana fell down, exhausted and humiliated. Draupadi did not suffer the least dishonour. All the dishonour fell to the lot of the Kauravas, and the Pandavas were unaffected.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Can God permit the just and moral Pandavas to suffer humiliation? The harm that the Kauravas planned to inflict on the Pandavas recoiled on them only. This was the direct<br />consequence of the Grace that Lord Krishna showered on your (Parikshit's) grandfathers and grandmother and of the devotion and faith they had reposed on Lord Krishna.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Intending to declare to the world the intense devotion of the Pandavas and its efficacy, and also to hold them up as examples for the Kali Age that was to come, the Lord contrived this thrilling drama. There is nothing more in this than that purpose of the Lord. You may be subjected to calumny, insult and dishonour; you may be plunged into poverty or pain; but the person who has surrendered to the Will of God will welcome each of these gladly and bear it with equanimity. The Lord will never give up His children.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br />Those devoted to God have to be patient and calm, under the most poignant provocation. The fact is, the pious and the God-fearing are those who are visited by travails and<br />troubles: in order to teach mankind these great truths, Krishna enacted this drama, with the Pandavas as the cast. Every incident in their lives is but a scene in His Play.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Source: Bhagawan Baba's Bhagavatha Vahini, <a href="http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Bhagavatha/Bhagavatha19.pdf">http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Bhagavatha/Bhagavatha19.pdf</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-20128860392300726172013-11-28T11:11:00.001+05:302013-11-28T11:11:44.640+05:30Swami says 'I'm always watching over you'<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Your faith should
give you total confidence in Me. You should have implicit confidence that I
will look after you. You should have the confidence that My Grace is always
with you and that I am always watching over you and protecting you. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">You should have
the confidence that I will never let you down, that I am always beside you,
comforting you and carrying you through troubles and hardships. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Just as you
lean against the wall knowing that it will not collapse, lean on Me and depend
upon Me entirely. I will then look after you.</span> If you depend upon Me with
complete faith and confidence, I shall provide for your welfare and look after
all your needs in this world and in the next."</span></span></span></div>
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Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-27166140986221961422013-10-16T23:34:00.002+05:302013-10-16T23:40:23.456+05:30An experience with a photo of Swami<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sometime last year (I don't rem'ber when), I came across an old Sanathana Sarathi magazine in which I saw a lovely picture of Bhagawan in the inside cover page. I took out the page and I stuck this picture on the front door of my cupboard. After this, I got a few more lovely pictures of Bhagawan and also stuck them. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I used to keep wondering whether I will get a soft copy of this same photo so that I can have it on my computer as the desktop background. Somehow till date I hadn't been able to find it. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But a few days ago, while navigating through some Sai-related web pages, I stumbled upon the very same photo. Boy! Was I pleasantly surprised! I immediately thanked Swami. The photo is given below. See how sweetly and beautifully like a child Bhagawan is smiling in this photo. I just love it! He is indeed Sai Sundara and Sundara Roopa!</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoNP1LwuhwwWKpx6dHlMBUXaK0fKuRvqjaCjQprokLYIVLSxOqGFAfezM7x3Kfq5SgLuahBq2Ys3k5HGglboUJarbBrDroteePdVo_n1afo-svk_Sx7m7RfoaBaxYXw-cMWZ3YP1EqJ8/s1600/Wow+Wow+Wow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoNP1LwuhwwWKpx6dHlMBUXaK0fKuRvqjaCjQprokLYIVLSxOqGFAfezM7x3Kfq5SgLuahBq2Ys3k5HGglboUJarbBrDroteePdVo_n1afo-svk_Sx7m7RfoaBaxYXw-cMWZ3YP1EqJ8/s320/Wow+Wow+Wow.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Thank you Swami for this 'beautiful' experience and for showing me yet again your Omniscience!</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-46219333129663625562013-10-01T08:14:00.001+05:302013-10-01T08:14:23.276+05:30When will the finish line come?<span style="color: #660000;">Swami is putting me through a lot of tests. There is no doubt about that. :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;">I feel as though I am navigating through an obstacle course all the time. But somehow by His grace I have learned how to handle various trying situations. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;">I really feel I am running some kinda race where the finish line is not yet in sight. Still, something tells me I'm almost there and this is the last lap or something like that. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;">I wish Swami would tell me how much longer I need to wait before things start falling in place. But I have to keep the faith and hold on. And all will be well. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;">I read somewhere that we need to '<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">walk by faith and not by sight'</span>. I will keep this in mind and hold on for now. :)</span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-19610860058112758922013-10-01T08:07:00.005+05:302013-10-01T08:08:32.549+05:30Sai inspires mesg for today<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Develop
faith in yourselves, so that you can stand like a rock
braving the rushing waters of the flood of negation. That
faith will make you overcome the changing circumstances of
the outer world. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keep the flame of detachment
(<i>vairagya</i>) burning with tiny sticks until it grows
into a big bonfire; welcome all chances to develop
discrimination (<i>viveka</i>). </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Take the Name of the Lord
and repeat it always. Sing to the Lord with faith and
enthusiasm. Let the whole environment reverberate with the
devotion you put into every Name that you sing. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
Lord's Name promotes comradeship and establishes
concord; it stills all storms and grants peace. Become a
blossom, exude the fragrance of <i>seva</i> (selfless
service) and <i>prema</i> (love); <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">then you will find a
place in the garland that adorns the Lord.</span></span></span></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-5861275111988154672013-09-30T20:46:00.000+05:302013-09-30T20:46:54.441+05:30An experience with Lord Muruga<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">About 10 days ago, I prayed to Lord Muruga and chanted the 'Kanda Sashti Kavasam' (a prayer in Tamil adoring Lord Muruga) in the morning. After lunch I logged onto my computer and somehow got prompted to search on Google with the keywords 'prayer', 'intuition', and 'signs'. In the course of search, I stumbled upon a site and I was simply stunned to see a picture of Lord Muruga there. In fact, it was the 'Vel' in His right hand that made me instantly recognize Him. Here is the link where I saw the picture<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.purposefairy.com/9081/what-is-the-meaning-of-prayer/"><span style="line-height: 115%;">http://www.purposefairy.com/9081/what-is-the-meaning-of-prayer/</span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And here is the picture itself. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8f15J7k7HWZTnblJrvbG2f7nS_QgHH3PBEBzdiujwEWa92vd6zbrgDwY-0JF8lDz7LsOVUFUxmK5NMWkUrluvB2PdWr24LcjTtWkrxAqPycm0_bCKoX1DZanX6bbBPNWO5aPryC7WNA/s1600/Lord+Muruga.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8f15J7k7HWZTnblJrvbG2f7nS_QgHH3PBEBzdiujwEWa92vd6zbrgDwY-0JF8lDz7LsOVUFUxmK5NMWkUrluvB2PdWr24LcjTtWkrxAqPycm0_bCKoX1DZanX6bbBPNWO5aPryC7WNA/s320/Lord+Muruga.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I felt really happy. But my happiness didn't stop there. I got another sign from Lord Muruga.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This time it was from this link </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.skandagurunatha.org/satsang/darshan-satguru-irukkip-piddi.asp">http://www.skandagurunatha.org/satsang/darshan-satguru-irukkip-piddi.asp</a></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">The author
talks about some problem for her son and how Lord Muruga helped. I felt this
too is a sign because the earlier picture I saw of Lord Muruga today caught my
attention mainly because of His Vel. And I felt greatly encouraged on seeing the following words on this page. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"With a calm face Murugan put his right hand on his chest, materialized
an object from within and planted it firmly on the ground in front of my
son (i.e. in between my son and Murugan). Then Murugan said [in Tamil],
"This is what you need. Not the tussels in your palm. You don't need
anything else when you hold this Vel firmly." </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">He further added [in Tamil],"This [Vel] will do everything. This
[Vel] will take care of you. You don't need anything else." </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-39639668590607684282013-07-04T15:44:00.000+05:302013-07-04T15:44:25.069+05:30Giving up is not the answer; nor is giving in<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">I believe God wants you to know...<br /><br />...that giving up is not the answer. Neither is giving in.<br /><br />Stand your ground.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />There is a way of doing that without having to be combative.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />There is a way of hanging on to your true self, and demonstrating it, without resorting to aggression.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />But giving up and giving in is not the way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />Simply and quietly claiming your right to be You is the way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />You know exactly why you received this message today.</span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-57704923573232175682013-05-18T14:57:00.000+05:302013-05-18T14:57:13.218+05:30Grace does entirely away with Karma<span style="color: blue;">When I read the transcript of the talk by Ms. Suma on the Radio Sai site, the following lines struck me. </span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: blue;"></span></b></i><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: blue;">"Make no
mistake; Grace does entirely away with Karma. It is like a medicine
which is labelled, 'good until 1968'. If used in 1973, the medicine is
entirely ineffective. The body is the bottle, the karma in the body is
the medicine, God puts a date on the 'medicine'; so it is not effective.</span></b></i><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>"</b></i>
- Baba </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">The link for the entire article is here - <a href="http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_11/01MAY13/ms-suma-summer-course-talk.htm">http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_11/01MAY13/ms-suma-summer-course-talk.htm</a></span></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-17235339814792946722013-05-04T21:08:00.001+05:302013-05-04T21:08:23.296+05:30God knows the best time to respond to our love<span style="color: #660000;">I read a beautiful story on the Radio Sai web site about hope and love. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;">http://media.radiosai.org/journals/Vol_07/01DEC09/09-get_inspired2.htm</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000;">The last 2 lines really moved me,</span> <span style="color: blue;">"<span class="articlemaintext">If there is anybody who understands our
Love always in the right manner, it is God. But we have to be patient,
for God always chooses the best time to respond to our Love, as God is
nothing but Love.</span>"</span><br />
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-23835516635860972272013-04-27T20:18:00.000+05:302013-04-27T20:18:29.206+05:30Wonderful divine encouragement yesterday<div style="text-align: left;">
I got this message in my mail yesterday and I felt greatly encouraged on seeing it. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: blue;">I believe God wants you to know...</span>
</div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">...that it
is time to move into unchartered lands.</span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">If you want to do something you have never done before,</span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">you have to do something you have never done before.</span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">If you want to go somewhere you have never gone before,</span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">you have to go somewhere you have never gone before.</span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"> You cannot do something new by doing old things. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">If you want your
life to change, you have to change your life. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">So go
ahead. It's safe. And it's also...about time.</span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-18538073107521642762013-04-26T07:21:00.000+05:302013-04-26T07:21:08.600+05:30Why difficulties?<div data-canvas-width="170.32870039463046" data-font-name="g_font_p0_3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; text-align: center; top: 735.233px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.869024, 1);">
<i><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Difficulties are created to increase the yearning </span></span></span></b></i></div>
<div data-canvas-width="170.32870039463046" data-font-name="g_font_p0_3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; text-align: center; top: 735.233px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.869024, 1);">
<i><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and to sift the sincere devotee from the rest."</span></span></span></b></i></div>
<div data-canvas-width="170.32870039463046" data-font-name="g_font_p0_3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; top: 735.233px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.869024, 1);">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-- Bhagawan Baba</span></span></span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-78227251149041277202013-03-27T06:17:00.003+05:302013-03-27T06:17:29.642+05:30God gives time to do good things<div data-canvas-width="389.6690957641601" data-font-name="g_font_p1_8" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; top: 841.88px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.934458, 1);">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Came across the foll. line in a discourse by Baba today and it made me smile, because I know it is true in my case. Thank you Swami for giving me this lovely reassurance this morning!</span></span></span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="389.6690957641601" data-font-name="g_font_p1_8" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; top: 841.88px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.934458, 1);">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="132.729303984642" data-font-name="g_font_p1_8" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; text-align: center; top: 858.477px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.884862, 1);">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"If you have the inclination to do good work, </span></span></b></i></span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="132.729303984642" data-font-name="g_font_p1_8" dir="ltr" style="font-family: serif; left: 213.225px; text-align: center; top: 858.477px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.884862, 1);">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God will give you the time to do good things."</span></span></b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-76488478903379910542013-03-23T06:52:00.002+05:302013-03-23T06:54:33.139+05:30A strong mesg from God<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">Yesterday, I was confused about something and prayed to Swami for guidance. When I logged into my mail, I got this msg which is so strong. It reiterated the thought in my mind and I felt Swami had pointed me in the right direction.</span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Money is not
the issue. </span></b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Having the courage to give your highest gift is the issue.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">There is no security in doing something for a living</span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">when you are dying inside while doing it. </span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">That is
taking care of the body </span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">at the expense of the soul. </span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>And a withering soul cannot help but produce a withering
body.</b></i></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><i><b>
</b></i></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><i><b>So do not think you are "taking care of yourself" </b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>by killing your spirit to keep your body alive.</b></i><span style="background-color: white;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">How long will you put off what you are dying to
do?</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-49544085987512842013-03-21T10:15:00.000+05:302013-03-21T10:15:55.478+05:30Win not an argument but someone's heart<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><i>Winning an argument is
never the goal of a true spiritual master. </i></span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><i>Winning someone's heart
is.</i></span></b><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">The setting aside of one's integrity is not required to win someone's heart, </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">but the setting aside of one's anger may be.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is possible to make a point without making an enemy. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is possible to be right without being righteous. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Debating does not have to be
debasing.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">If there is someone with whom you are disagreeing this day, </span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">would it not be wonderful of you to disagreewithout being disagreeable?</span></span></span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-16387819287784028162013-03-17T12:57:00.001+05:302013-03-17T13:02:15.619+05:30Sequel to 'Wounded lil birdie'<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I was reading 'Loving God' today and found the chapter 'The Chiselled Child' quite absorbing, for Prof. Kasturi (biographer of Sathya Sai Baba) shares his experiences of being chiselled by Bhagawan Baba.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;">He talks about one particular period that he spent in the crucible after his return from a trip to North East India, W. Bengal, Orissa, etc. Swami g<span style="font-size: small;">i</span>ves him the cold treatment for a long time. After a long period, Swami makes him realize his mistake and why He had not spoken to him for a long time. Kasturi writes</span> <span style="color: #741b47;"><b><i>"I had been cleansed again. But, what a tunnel of travail I had to crawl through to emerge into the Light of Love!"</i></b></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">As I read through his narration, what hit me like a ton of bricks was this line.<br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;"><i><b>After an hour of tossing, I slept until Indulal Shah shook me, saying, "Dinner! Swami is coming." I went through the ritual. Like a <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">wounded crow</span>, I cried plaintively. "Kaov! Kaov! Save me, Save me!" </b></i></span><br /><br />This was like deja vu for me, because just yesterday I had written a blog post comparing myself to the wounded crow that comes to our house regularly.<br /><br />When I 'stumbled upon' this line in the book today, I immediately knew that Swami was showing me His omniscience. I also felt that it is He who is donning various roles in this drama of life. He is the one experiencing the pain through me. He is the one who prompted me to write the post yesterday. He is the one who made me 'discover' the line today. What a God!</span></span></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-45318315804341766442013-03-16T16:48:00.000+05:302013-03-16T16:50:14.602+05:30Wounded lil birdie<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">In our family (as is the custom in many traditional
Hindu families), we have the habit of putting some food as offering for the
crows once rice is cooked in the morning. A few crows do come and feed on the
rice. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">There are some crows that come and caw even
at other times of the day and we feed them pieces of Murukku (<span class="st">a
South-Indian snack of savoury crunchy twists made from rice and urad dal flour).
Sometime back, there came a crow whose one leg was wounded. It kept limping 'coz
there was some problem with its leg. We felt sad on seeing it and started
feeding it Murukku pieces. We noticed that other crows started coming too for
their share. We did feed them some pieces but made sure the wounded crow did
have its share too.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span lang="EN-GB">These crows seem to have an
uncanny knack of knowing that we will feed them. So, they come and sit on the
wall opposite our front door (there is not much distance between the front door
and the wall that separates our compound from the neighbour's). They sometimes
caw and at other times just wait patiently without cawing. When we happen to move inside our
house, we suddenly notice them sitting on the wall and we immediately feed them
some pieces.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span lang="EN-GB">The crow with a wounded leg is
a regular visitor. Once, when it came, there was no Murukku in the house. I
tried putting pieces of papad but it didn't touch it. <span style="font-size: small;">I was wondering what else to feed it. It cawed in hunger. I tried </span>put<span style="font-size: small;">ting</span> a few
pieces of puffed rice (pori), which it ate happily and then flew away. Even today, it came limping
and ate a few pieces of Murukku and went away. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span lang="EN-GB">As I write this, I feel very
much like the wounded crow 'coz I feel so battered and bruised; I have a
wound that just doesn't seem to heal. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span lang="EN-GB">The only difference is that the
crow keeps coming to us for food often and it does go back happy, but in my
case, even when I continue to go back to Swami and keep praying and yearning for Him (for He's the only one who can heal
the hurt), He is just not responding!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span lang="EN-GB">Only time will heal!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-55515806741216533592013-03-14T15:46:00.003+05:302013-03-14T15:46:59.977+05:30Fun is not defined as absence of challenges<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am very sure that Swami planned for this mesg to reach me yesterday in my mail. Such a profound mesg! Makes sense too! </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fun is not
defined as the absence of challenging circumstances, </span></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but as the absence of anger about
them.</span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Of course, it is natural to become "fed up" with some </span></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of the worst conditions of physical life. Yet the fun
of</span></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">life is in embracing a perspective that allows you to </span></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">look into the face of those conditions and demonstrate</span></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Who You Are in spite of them.</span></span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Where is the fun in that?" you might say. The fun is
in</span></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the victory, my
friend. The fun is in the <em>victory.</em></span></span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></b></i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You will not have to think but a second to know </span></b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></b></i></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">exactly why you received this message today.</span></b></i></span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-1744880701070012142013-03-09T22:18:00.000+05:302013-03-09T22:18:08.575+05:30Medical experts can be hired but life cannot be secured on lease<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>"Many people spend their years piling and piling, and then, are dragged away by death, ere they could preen themselves on the size of the pile. Money can purchase drugs but mental peace and content alone can guarantee health. Medical experts can be hired but life cannot be secured on lease."</i></b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666;">Bhagawan Baba, in a discourse on Krishna Janmaashtami, 7-9-1966</span> </i></b></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-23617925606168791032013-02-21T15:18:00.002+05:302013-02-21T15:18:54.499+05:30A beautiful example to drive home the lesson of equanimity<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">"When a well is dug, the earth that
is removed from the pit forms a mound by the side. The mud in the mound
is the same mud that was in the pit. Praise and calumny are like the
mound and the pit, and are essentially of the same origin. Realizing
this, the mind should be trained to develop equanimity in terms of man's
relationship with and existence in society."</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>-- Bhagawan Baba (Summer Showers, 1979, pg 157) </i></span></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-9025882319989404582013-02-12T10:07:00.001+05:302013-02-12T10:07:42.997+05:30Know where you are headed in life<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Got this message y'day in my mail. Quite a thought-provoking one! And it did reiterate my thoughts too!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On this day of your life,
Aarthi,
I believe God wants you to know...</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...that if a man does not know what port he is steering </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">for, no wind is favorable to him. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
Seneca
said that, and it is true. <span style="color: blue;"><b>You have to know</b></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>
</b></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>where you are going in order to get there. </b></span>This may</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
seem simplistic, but many people have no idea where</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
they are going in life--much less where they are </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
headed on the Journey of the Soul.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Yet these are things that have to be <b><em>decided</em></b>,
not</span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="color: blue;"><b>discovered</b>.</span> </em>Too many people are waiting to discover</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
what they should
decide; to chance upon what they</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
should be
choosing. Are you one of them? </div>
</span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-59621621303834727742013-01-31T07:43:00.000+05:302013-01-31T07:43:14.834+05:30God draws me unto Him; that is His nature<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #003366; font-size: small;">"God
draws the individual towards Himself. It is the nature of
both to have this mutual affinity; they are just like the
iron and magnet. But if the iron is rusty, covered with
layers of dirt, the magnet is unable to attract. Remove the
impurities, then you will shine forth in your real nature
and the Lord will draw you unto Him. Spiritual practices
(<em>Sadhana</em>) should result in inner as well as
external cleanliness. You do not feel refreshed if you wear
unwashed clothes after your bath. Nor do you feel clean if
you wear washed clothes, but skip taking bath. Hence, both
are needed – the <em>baahya</em> (external) and the
<em>bhaava</em> (internal). Trials and tribulations are the
means by which this cleansing is done. They are like the
dietary and other restrictions prescribed to supplement the
effect of the drug of <em>Namasmarana</em> (remembrance of
God)."</span></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #003366; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #330066;"><em>-
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 1, Vijayadasami 1953.</em></span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #330066;"><em></em></span></span>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-40195125121478521102013-01-10T19:02:00.001+05:302013-01-10T19:02:18.964+05:30Good may suffer at the hands of time but not in the hands of God<div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I came across this quote a few days ago. It made me feel reassured. :)</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">"Have patience, My child, and know that the good may sometimes suffer in the hands of time but will never suffer in the hands of God."</span></b></div>
Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776237570665092985.post-61903636717537447142013-01-02T21:52:00.000+05:302013-01-02T21:52:53.979+05:30God loves every devotee and is aware of his/her trials and tribulations<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"God will not be attracted by learning, wealth or material possessions. God is drawn only by devotion. <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Take to Him, any troubles you have – He will accept all of them and fill you with joy.</span> God loves every devotee. <span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">He accepts you for who you are. He is aware of all the difficult situations, trials and tribulations you go through and your devotion to Him, which gives you so much happiness. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">However, this devotion alone is not enough. What is needed is the regulation of that Divine Love, in the form of virtue and service. Do not criticize others, rather criticize yourself. Have the Name of the Lord on your tongue and the Form of the Lord before your eye. If you shape yourself this way, the place where you live will be the holiest of all. Let all your activities be directed only towards this purification in your hearts. I bless each and every one of you with success, in this noble effort!"</span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-- <em>Bhagawan Baba in a divine discourse on Feb 3, 1964</em></span></span></span></b>Aarthi Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623368078756467850noreply@blogger.com0