Allow few minutes of silence

Once, there was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him.

 

After searching high and low among the hay for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside barn.

 

He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded.

 

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance.

 

The farmer looked at him and thought, "Why not? After all, this kid looks sincere enough."

 

So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed.

 

The boy replied, "I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of watch and just looked for it in that direction."

 

Baba said that a contented mind is the surest sign of association with the holy, further He continued how can a wandering mind be considered as being surrendered to God? In Shri Sai Samarth Satchrita, chapter 6 Ovi 41. Let us try to control our wandering mind towards the One Holy in silence and try to find out God's watch ticking sound.

Appreciate each day that comes from God!

There are very many occasions in life which call for celebration and gratitude – special events like a birth or a wedding in the family, birthdays, promotions, taking possessions of a new home etc., But let us not forget that each and every day is filled with numerous things which deserve our appreciations and gratitude. If only we would pause, reflect and consider life's countless blessings, we would realize how much there is to be appreciated in life!

 

Let us appreciate Nature, She is always there with us, in many moods, many hues. The blue sky above us, the green grass at our feet, the magnificent hills, the vast seas, life-giving, life generating rivers and the beauty and grandeur of gardens and woods…

 

Appreciate each day that comes to us out of the Spotless Hands of God, think of all that we take for granted – our life which is itself a great gift, our good health, which is a blessing, our family which is precious, and the joy and love that come to us from all around. Learn to appreciate all the beauty and warmth and all the loving relationships which we so often ignore, or take for granted!"

 

Let us take our hearts to Baba's simple mantra: Shraddha and Sabhuri.

.

The Nuri Granth

The Nuri Granth

 

You are the ocean, and I am a fish in Your waters,

Every moment of my life, is dependent on Your grace!

Pray, grant me the dust of Your Lotus Feet,

For which I beg, at Your door, says Nuri Nimani.

 

Fain, I could get the saint's guidance,

Each and every moment,

May He come and bestow his treasure on this beggar maid.

May He, granting me His love,

Make me meek and humble, says Nuri.

 

Day and night, I have remembered Him within my heart,

But since many, many days

He is far away in some foreign land.

O! When with His loving steps,

Will He come unto my abode? Asks Nuri.

 

Hundreds of thousands have been washed away,

In the illusory waves of mind,

Many are the books and volumes that they did read,

But they foundered in midstream. 

But those who, in silence, dived deep within themselves,

Realized the Truth Immutable, says Nuri.

 

-Nuri Granth pages 67-68

(Songs of Sadhu Vaswani in Sindhi, 

Translated by Shri H.T Sadhwani).

 

Give Them Their Happiness and You will Get Yours

Baba said, "Everyone is fully aware of the shruti which says that

" Unless one gives, one does not receive ". Unless you have

given earlier you do not get it now" in Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita, Ch 35, Ovi 135.

Once a group of 50 people was attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and started giving each one a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room. 

Now these delegates were let in that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written, within 5 minutes. 

Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos. At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon. 

Now each other was asked to randomly select a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon. 

The speaker began: This is exactly what's happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it was. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness and you will get your own happiness.

This is not only true for happiness, but also for love, peace, respect, care, kindness, etc., whatever you give, that will come back to you.

 

God is there around you

A bus full of passengers was travelling while suddenly the weather changed and there was a huge downpour and lightning all around. 

They could see that the lightening would appear to come towards the bus and then go elsewhere. 

After 2 or 3 instances, the driver stopped the bus about fifty feet away from a tree and said: We have somebody in the bus whose death is a certainty today. Because of that person everybody else will also get killed. I want each person to go one-by-one and touch the tree trunk and come back. Whom so ever death is certain will get caught up by the lightening and will die. But everybody else will be saved." 

They had to force the 1^st person go and touch the tree and come back. He reluctantly got down from the bus and went and touched the tree. His hear leaped with joy when nothing happened and he was still alive. 

This continued for rest of the passengers who were all relieved when they touched the tree and nothing happened. 

When the lqast passenger's turn came, everybody looked at him with accusing eyes. This passenger was also afraid and reluctant. 

Everybody forced him to get down and go and touch the tree. With a fear of death, the laqst passenger walked to the tree and touched it. 

There was a huge sound of thunder and the lightening came down and hit the bus – yes the lightening hit the bus, and killed each and every passenger inside the bus. 

It was because of the presence of this passenger that earlier, the entire bus was safe and the lightening could not strike the bus. 

Sometimes we try to take credit for our achievements, but this could also be because of a person right next to us. Look around you – probably God is there around you in the form of parents, spouse, children, siblings, friends etc., who are saving you from bad things to happen to you.

Guruvaar Prarthna

​

Guruvaar Prarthna

 

Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. We are always praying You and seeking Your help to ward off our troubles. Our simple mind in this fast world expecting fast results for our prayers, please help us to follow Your Shraddha and Shaburi and grant us right solution at right time. Our wandering mind disturbing our concentration during prayer, help us to steer our mind at the right direction and make our prayers a happy experience. On this day, we absorb your advice and try to lead a life desired by you.

 

His household will always be prosperous, and he will not want for anything till he lives. If he resorts to ME with full faith, his difficulties will be removed.

 

There will be persons who say that they will behave as they like, as they have strayed from the path. Those who have turned their backs on religious observances, turn away from such people first.

 

If you come across them, swerve away from them. Consider them to be very dangerous. Be afraid of even their shadows and go out of the way to avoid them.

 

One who is lawless, immoral, thoughtless, without any purpose, who cannot distinguish between right and wrong – how will he achieve any good in life?

 

But without some special bonds of past lives no one comes to us. May it be a dog, a pig or a fly. So do not repulse anybody.

 

Henceforth, he should serve Me with love and devotion. The Supreme Being will bless him. He will receive a permanent treasure.

 

In what manner should he worship? Who am I? How can he know with certainty? Sai's body is perishable, while Brahman is imperishable".

 

"All pervading as I am, I am the personification of the eightfold nature".So revealed the Lord to Arjuna while expounding the Gita. "

 

"The world made of movable and immovable objects, of names and forms, is manifested by ME in the form of the eightfold nature. The phenomenon is created by ME only.

 

The mystical symbol 'Aum' expresses ME. I am the only connotation of it. In the whole of the universe, there exists a multitude of things but I am immanent in all of them.

 

There is nothing but the Atman, so what desire should there be? I am all exhaustive in everything in all ten directions.

 

I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter 3, Ovi 77 - 87)

 

 

Live a Life of Divine Will

Live a Life of Divine Will

First thing for us, to live our life effortlessly is to abandon the belief that I am an independent entity who makes things happen through some kind of deliberate effort taken by me through my own will and desire.  God is the One Doer, the One Worker. We are only His instruments. Let us learn to yield to His perfect plan for us and be His willing instruments.

 To live effortlessly we have to learn to accept the Will of God at every step, to live without resistance, worries, complaints and self pity.

 We have to live in the 'Here' and the 'Now' – Live a life of alignment to the Divine Will and thus fulfill the purpose of life.

Guruvaar Prarthna

​ Guruvaar Prarthna

 

Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. We have seen thousands of days and nights, so also countless pleasures and problems in our life, yet not seen an end to our troubles. Help us to lead a peaceful and happy life under your shelter of mercy and bountiful blessings. During our testing times, please hold us safely, during turbulence in relationships, give better understanding to all, during our prayers, help us to focus our mind and body on You and grant us Your blessings to all of us. On this Holy day, we read Your words as starting part of our prayers.

 

Hail, Eternal Parabrahma! Hail, Helper of the Destitute and Blissful Countenance! Hail, Supreme Consciousness and One at the Service of the Devotees!

 

Hail, hail to one who is beyond duality! Hail, hail to one who is beyond attributes and with attributes! One who witnesses everything and is transcendental, One beyond the understanding of all who are not the devotees.

 

Hail, hail to the remover of the distress of worldly existence! Hail, hail to the destroyer of difficulties of those who seek refuge and have come full of love, Sadgururaya!

 

You have become invisible merging with the formless, but you act for the welfare of your devotees even after leaving the body.

 

Those who are devoted to you still have the same experiences as they did when you were in body, though you are now invisible.

 

By making this insignificant one the instrument of dispelling the darkness of ignorance, you have manifested the Sun of your Biography, which has the power to uplift the devotees.

 

To have belief in the existence of God and faith in Him — these are the heart-lamps that a devotee must have. Light the wicks, soaked in the oil of love, and the light of knowledge will appear.

 

Knowledge without love is formal. What use can it be to anyone? Without love there is no satisfaction. Love should be unbounded.

 

How can I describe the power of love? Everything is insignificant before it. If there is no deep love, listening or reading is fruitless.

 

In the wake of love, follow devotion, dispassion, peace and contentment together with liberation and all its treasures.

 

Love is not born without faith. Where there is faith there is God. With faith there is abundance of love and it is only faith which is the means of liberation.

 

The Sai Charita is as pure as the waters of the Ganga. He Himself has adorned his 'stotra'. Hemad is only the instrument.

 

I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter 48, Ovi 20 - 31)

 

 

 

 

Guruvaar Prarthna

​

Guruvaar Prarthna

 

Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Please stay in our heart and guide us what to see, what to speak, how to deal and help us to remember you always. Give us enough strength to face any situation that world is offering me. On this holy day we remember your helping hand to Nana ji and praying for Your helping hands to us!

 

N G Chandorkar was climbing Harischandra hill on a summer day, and was seized with thirst. No water was available anywhere in the place.

 

N. G. Chandorkar: If Baba was here he would give me water.

 

At that time Baba was at Shirdi, 40 miles away. At Shirdi Mosque:

 

Baba: Nana is thirsty. The heat of summer is great. Should we not give him at least a palmful of water?

 

The devotees present there could not make out why Baba talked like that. But on the hill Nana saw a Bhil coming down.

 

NGC: Bhil, I am thirsty. Can't I get water to drink?

 

Bhil: Under the very rock you are sitting on, there is water.

 

So saying the Bhil left.

 

The rock was shifted and below it, was a palmful of drinking water. N. G. Chandorkar drank it.

 

Baba: Nana, you were thirsty. I gave you water. Did you drink it?

 

(- from Baba's Charters and Sayings, No. 350)

 

"Bolo Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharajki Jai."

 

Guruvaar Prarthna

Guruvaar Prarthna

 

Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Our miseries are going on increasing. When You help us a step forward, our karma pulling down two steps behind. You said that nothing will harm us who turn our attention towards You, but Maya will lash or whip us who forget You. Baba, we never ever forget you, you are our breath, You are our life and You are everything for us. We continue to pray and remember you all the time. You are our Father and  we beg You to keep your children safe and secure. On this holy day, we remember Your advice narrated by You.

 

134. There was a great Saint at Akkalkot.  Maharaj used to be absorbed in meditation. A devotee, who was grievously ill, was undergoing unbearable suffering.

 

135. He had served for a long time hoping to be rid of the disease. He was unable to bear the pain anymore. He became very dejected.

 

136. He determined to commit suicide, and choosing a time in the night, going to a well he threw himself in it.

 

137. Maharaj came there at that time and pulled him out with his own hands. "Whatever is destined has to be fully borne ", he advised him.

 

138. " All physical tribulations, diseases, even leprosy and all other problems, which we have because of our actions in the previous birth, unless they are fully borne, we cannot be free from them, even by committing suicide.

 

139. If this suffering remains unfinished, you have to be born again. Therefore, try to bear up with this trouble a little longer. Do not kill yourself ".

 

140. Reading this story, which was apt for the occasion, Ambdekar was surprised and felt ashamed on the spot, understanding Baba's all-pervasiveness.

 

141. Ambdekar realized that the fate due to previous birth must be endured. He was made to understand this at the right time and it was good that he had not attempted the reckless deed.

 

142. This illustrative story was like a voice from outer space. It strengthened his faith at Sai's feet. Sai's deeds are unimaginable.

 

143. 'Sai's warning guided through Sagun's words. If there had been some delay in getting this unexpected book, my life would have been ruined.

 

144. I would have lost my own life, and would have caused utter destruction of the family. My wife would have had to undergo a lot of suffering and I would not have achieved my own good nor attained my spiritual goal.

 

145. Baba inspired Sagun and made the book an instrument to divert my mind from committing suicide'.

 

146. If such an incident had not occurred, the poor man would have unnecessarily lost his life. But where there is a saviour like Sai, who would be able to kill?

 

147. This devotee's father had faith in Akkalkot Swami. Baba made him understand that he should follow in his father's footsteps.

 

148. So be it. Later everything was well. Those days passed. He studied astrology, putting in a lot of efforts, and that was rewarding.

 

149. He got Sai's grace and blessings. Fortune smiled upon him, later on. He became well-versed in astrology and his earlier adverse circumstances ended.

 

150. His love for the Guru increased, and he achieved happiness and health. He had ease and happiness in family life. He became very happy.

 

(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter 26, Ovi 134 – 150)

 

"Bolo Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharajki Jai."

 

The Nuri Granth - The Cups of Pison

​

The Cups of Poison

 

In the abode of worldly pleasures,

There be innumerable evil effects:

Full of deceitful actions is the world.

And full of false outward show it is;

Create within you, longing for the Lord and go and sit,

At the feet of the Beloved, says Nuri!

 

These sorrows and sufferings,

Are but the gifts of the grace of the Beloved!

These ferocious fires,

Are but the currents emanating from the beloved!

 

O dear one! See the cups of poison are here,

Go and drink them, at the feet of the Beloved, says Nuri!

 

-Nuri Granth page 67.

A Prayer for Strength

​O Lord,

In this time of need, strengthen me.

 

You are my strength and my shield; You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

I know, Father, that Your eyes go to and fro throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts long for You.

 

The body grows weary, but my hope is in you to renew my strength.

I do not fear, for you are with me.

 I am not dismayed or overwhelmed, for you are my God.

 

I know You will strengthen me and help me; that You will uphold me with Your righteous hand.

 

Even as the shadows of illness cover me, I feel the comfort of Your strength, Or Lord.

 

Amen.

Significance of the Hindu Prayer of Peace

​While prayer is an integral part of all religious traditions, the kinds of prayer that are practiced differ depending on your religion. Seen as a direct line of communication with God, prayer is largely used as a way to relay and release religious devotees' desires, fears and thanks for themselves and others to a higher power. For some religions, like Hinduism, prayers are recited as chants or mantras, each with its own specific purpose -- which can be for an individual or for the good of all. 

Forms of Prayer

Hinduism recognizes innumerable aspects of divinity as the personification of thousands of gods. Most Hindus believe that all gods are parts of one supreme divinity and consequently either worship all as one or choose one personification of divinity that resonates with their lives. Such a chosen deity then becomes the focus of prayer. Hindu prayers can be either the repetition of formulated mantras and chants or simple prayers created by the religious devotee.

Topics for Prayer

Like many other religions, much of Hindu prayer is directed toward giving thanks or asking for aid. Because each deity has an explicit focus of his or her attention, a Hindu may pray to a particular god to request specific help. For example, the Hindu god Ganesha is seen as the remover of obstacles. Therefore if devotees wishes for clarity of understanding or a clear path to achieving certain desires, they will pray to Ganesha to remove impediments. However, in the Hindu tradition prayers can also be offered on the behalf of all people, rather than just for the benefit of one devotee.

Why Pray for Peace

As a result of the Hindu belief in karma (that each individual soul reaps the consequences of all its actions) and the power of compassion, many Hindu mantras and chants are said for the benefit of all people. Such universal prayers can request anything from freedom from sickness and suffering to wisdom and peace for all. A core concept in Hinduism is that the goal of life is enlightenment, which comes with complete release of the ego and control over the wandering mind. Enlightenment is viewed as the perfectly clear mind's union with God and as such is the attainment of the ultimate state of moksha (freedom) or peace. Prayers for peace in Hinduism are, therefore, conceived out of the desire to free all people from suffering and unite them with God.

Specific Peace Prayers

Hindu mantras, chants and prayers aimed at creating peace internally and throughout the world can be found throughout Hindu scripture, and highly regarded Hindu practitioners, such as Mahatma Gandhi, have also created such prayers. The simplest way to pray for peace is to repeat the Sanskrit word for peace, "shanti," three times. The number of repetitions is symbolic: the first is for the removal of disturbances that come from God, such as natural disasters; the second for disturbances that come from other people and things in the world; and the third for disturbances originating from the devotee's own mind.
There are also many peace mantras that come from a variety of scriptural sources. The most frequently used peace mantras come from the Upanishads of the Veda, which is the most sacred of Hindu scriptures. One mantra, sometimes referred to as the "Asatoma" mantra, requests that devotees be led from the real to the unreal, from darkness to light, and from the fear of death to the knowledge of immortality. Other common mantras are the " Purnam-idam" mantra and the "Lokah" prayer, which does not have an origin in the Veda. The "Lokah" prayer requests happiness, health and peace everywhere.

​​

Universal Prayer

Universal Prayer from swamijyoti

Daiva Dasakam

Daiva Dasakam, a 1914 work, could be considered among the simplest of Sri. Narayana Guru’s works.

Guru felt the need of having a universal prayer meant to be recited for some children at their evening sessions that performed as part of the daily routine at Sivagiri Asram, founded by him. Daiva Dasakam is the outcome of this noble thought.

Though written in the format of a simple prayer, Guru could contain his entire philosophical vision within its ten mighty verses.

Although meant directly for the children, it is of great benefit for all of us who are child-like in respect of Ultimate Wisdom.


God bless

25 Life Lessons from Ramayana

1. Power of Bad Association: It was a known fact in Ayodhya that Kaikeyi loved Lord Rama more than his own son Bharath, then how could she become so evil. It is by her bad association with Mantara.
2. Attachment to service & not to the position: Lord Ram was willing to become the king as a service to Maharaj Dasarath and He was also willing to go to the forest as a service to His father.
3. Mission of Life should be to vanquish the demoniac tendencies in our heart: Lord Ram's purpose to kill the demons was fulfilled by His banishment to the forest.
4. Even extreme reversals if taken in the proper spirit will help us fulfill our mission in life: For example, Law of gravity is only in effect in the Earth's sphere and not beyond. So also Laws of material nature act only in material consciousness not in spiritual consciousness.
5. Ram or Aaram, A test for every seeker: Citizens of Ayodhya wanted to go with Lord Ram to forest and leave behind all the comforts (Aaram) of the City Ayodhya.
6. Alertness in Spiritual Life: Lord Ram leaves Ayodhyavasis when they were asleep. If one is inattentive or lazy, one will loose taste in Bhakti.
7. (Sometimes) Saintly persons might cause pain to others not to hurt them but benefit them: Bharat disowns Kaikeyi, or Prahlad disregards Hiranyakashipu, a Doctor may cause pain (operation) to patient to cure him.
8. Goal is to please the Lord: For Bharat, he wanted to stay in the forest which was easier than to return and rule the Kingdom but he did it to please Lord Ram.
9. Lord is the Proprietor: Bhoktaram Yajna tapasam (Bhagavad Gita 5.29). Bharat was ruling the kingdom on Lord Ram's behalf by keeping the Paduka's on the Throne. We are only caretakers, He is the real proprietor, He can give and take away. The Caretaker acts according to the will of the owner.
10. Anybody can make a show of greatness: The reversals test us who we are. When Lakshmana cuts Surpanaka's nose, gone was the charming form, gone was the facade and then the real ugly form manifested. One's greatness is tested by one's ability to tolerate provoking situations.
11. Bhakti (Sita) cannot be achieved by Deception: Ravana wanted to kidnap Sitadevi by deception, but he gets Maya-Sita at the end. Greed and lust are never satiated, they lead to arrogance and envy.
12. Attachments can creates traps and make us suffer: Marichi takes up a golden dear form to which Sitadevi developed deep attachment to have it and thus trapped Sitadevi. We should see the substance through the eyes of the scripture. Marichi was all about false promises. For example, spider web is most attractive to the fly but actually it's a trap.
13. Maya knows our weaknesses: She can make our strength into weaknesses and take us away from the circle of instructions of great souls. Ravana uses Sitadevi's attitude to serve great souls to disobey Lakshmana.
14. Always stand by the Right: Jatayu's integrity. Real success is to please the Lord. Jatayu lost his life fighting for Lord Ram but achieved the purpose of Life to please the Lord. It is better to lose & win than to win & lose.
15. Patience, Determination & Enthusiasm: Example of Shabari. Long time ago, Guru had asked her to wait for Lord Ram while all other disciples and Guru himself went back to Godhead. She showed her enthusiasm by working hard everyday to clean the place, plucking flowers &  fruits for the Lord. She had complete faith in the words of Guru and patiently waited with determination. The Lord reveals only when He wants.
16. Honesty, We can't put a facade before the Lord: Hanumanji disguises when he went to meet Lord Ram. Lord knows within who we are, we have to be honest to receive the mercy of the Lord. Lord Ram didn't speak to Hanuman for four months.
17. Obstacles on the path of Bhakti: The demons who came to stop Hanuman during his jumping across the ocean. Mainaka (Gold Mountain) - temptation to seek comfort before achieving our real purpose. Simhika (Shadow catching demoness) - While striving for Bhakti, people will chastise, criticize and misunderstand us, we should have the willingness to tolerate. Surasa (Serpent): Being envious of people in higher position and try to stop their progress. This is jealousy of the mind. By devotional service, we have to devour Simhika who represents Envy.
18. Arrogance cannot understand wellwishers: The world is a mirror of our own consciousness. Ravana was thinking Mandodari was envious of Sita, but actually he was envious of Lord Ram. Ravana was thinking Vibhisana was disloyal and taking the side of Lord Ram, but he was disloyal to Kubera, his cousin brother. When we think we know, we are not willing to listen to good counsel. Spiritual progress means simplicity and humility. If they are lacking, we won't listen thinking that we know better, that was Ravana.
19. Big or Small, we can swim the ocean of Samsara by chanting Lord Ram's holy name: Big or Small, all the stones floated by writing Lord Ram's name.
20. Pride or Attachment leads to loss of intelligence: dhyayato visayan pumsah (Bhagavad Gita 2.62). Every stage of this sloka was exhibited by Ravana. Loss of intelligence - Even when all his stalwart warriors including Kumbakarna, Indrajit died but he still didn't give up.
21. Hearing about the Lord - Revival of dormant love: Lord Ram being Paramatma in the heart of everyone including Ravana could have killed him just by turning off Ravana's heart. But the Lord and His pleasure potency Sitadevi went through this whole ordeal so that we can hear about the Lord and revive our dormant love.
22. Righteousness: Vibhishana comes to take shelter of Lord Ram, all the monkeys were against, except Hanumanji. Vibhishana was willing to be misunderstood or even chastised to surrender to the Lord.
23. Counsel and Advise in battle against Illusion: In battle against Illusion, at every stage association of devotees to put us straight without which we will fall. Lord Ram doesn't need but takes the counsel of Vibhishana.
24. Grace of a Sadhu needed to kill demons within: Agastya muni had given a divine arrow to Lord Ram. That arrow was used by Lord Ram to kill Ravan by piercing his heart.
25. Welcoming the Lord in hearts with lamps: That is Dipavali festival. Lord Ram is welcomed back into Ayodhya with lamps. Dipavali is not just physical fire but lighting the hearts with light of Lord's grace and process of devotional service. When heart is fully illuminated, then we can experience Lord Ram within ourself. When our love awakens, in that love, compassion for all living beings awakens. Then Ramrajya is awakened within the heart and then without (i.e. out in the world).

Above lessons are extracted from a talk given by HH Radhanath Swami.

Baba's Letter to you

Dear Child,

      I see your loneliness and fears, your guilt and frustrations.  I see your endless search for love and fulfillment.  All this must be, in order for you to come to the end of your own understanding--then you can hear My voice.  Listen carefully amid the noise of the world and you will hear...

      I love you, I shed my blood for you to make you clean.  Give yourself completely to Me.  I created you to be just as you are, and you are lovely in My eyes.  Do not criticize yourself or become depressed for not being perfect in your own eyes.  In Me you have been made perfect.  I want you to trust Me one step, one day, one second at a time.  Dwell in My power and My love and be free, be yourself.  Don't allow other people to control you.  I will guide you, if you let Me, but be aware of My presence in everything.

      I give to you patience, love, joy, and peace.  Look to Me for answers for I am your Father and will lead you.  Follow Me only!  Do not ever forget this!  Listen and I will tell you My will.

      Let My love flow from you and spill over to all you touch.  Be not concerned with yourself - you are My responsibility.  I will change you without your ever knowing it.  You are to love yourself and others, simply because I love you.  Take your eyes off yourself, look only to Me, I lead, I change, I create, but only when you are not striving.  You are mine... Let Me have the joy of making you like Lord.

      Your only command is to look to Me, and Me only...  never to yourself and never to others.  Do not struggle, but relax in My love.  I know what is best and will do it in you.  Stop trying to become, and let Me make you what I want.

      My will is perfect; My love is sufficient.  I will supply all your needs...  only look to Me.

I Love You,

Your Father 

More than what we can hold..!!

Once a boy went to a shop with his mother. The shopkeeper looked at the small cute child and showed him a bottle with sweets
 
And said 'Dear Child, you can take the sweets...

But the child didn't take. The shopkeeper was surprised.. Such a small child he is and why is he not taking the sweets from the bottle. Again he said take the sweets....

Now the mother also heard that and said.. Take the sweets dear. Yet he didn't take. The shopkeeper seeing the child not taking the sweets... He himself took the sweets and gave to the child. The child was happy to get two hands full of sweets.  

While returning home the Mother asked the child... Why didn't you take the sweets, when  the shopkeeper told you to take?..

Can you guess the response: Child replies... Mom! My hands are very small and if I take the sweets I can only take few.. But now you see when uncle gave with his big hands.... How many more sweets I got!  

Moral: When we take we may get little but when God gives... He gives us more beyond our expectations. .. More than what we can hold..!!

God's Plan for You

Sufferings, sufferings and more sufferings

Suffering is not a part of the creation of the almighty Lord Sri Krishna.

The Lord not only created a beautiful world full of joys, but also gave an instructions manual "The Bhagavad Gita", which elaborately explains how every living being can live peacefully and happily.

The Bhagavad Gita is littered with pure knowledge.

As man ignores the teachings of The Bhagavad Gita, he embraces sufferings.

The Lord demonstrates this by dividing the time in this material world into four Yugas

Satya Yuga, when the majority of the population accepts The Bhagavad Gita, there is hardly any kind of sufferings.

Treta Yuga, when some percentage of the population rejects The Bhagavad Gita, sufferings appear.

Dwapara Yuga, when more people reject The Bhagavad Gita, more sufferings.

Kali Yuga, when a large majority of the poulation rejects The Bhagavad Gita, sufferings, sufferings and more sufferings. That is what we are witnessing now.