Thought for the Day

I desire that festivals should be celebrated, understanding their inner significance. Deepavali is a special day for getting rid of all the bad qualities in us. As long as the demonic qualities remain, you will be immersed in darkness. The destruction of the demon Narakasura symbolizes destruction of evil and restoration of virtuousness. Also, on Deepavali day, a whole array of lamps are lit by the light from one lamp. That One lamp symbolises the Supreme Effulgent Lord. The other lamps are the light in individual selves. The truth of the Vedic saying, "The One willed to become the Many" (Ekoham Bahushyaam) is exemplified by the lighting of lamps from the flame of one. Another significant fact is that, wherever the lamp may be placed, the flame goes upwards only and never down. Likewise, the flame of Spiritual Wisdom (Jnana) always leads you to a sublime level through the path of Righteousness.

Thought for the Day

If you want to light a lamp, you need four things - a container, oil, a wick and a match box. If any one of these is lacking, you cannot light the lamp. Similarly, to light the lamp of spiritual wisdom in your heart, you need – the container of detachment, wick of one-pointed concentration, matchstick of wisdom and the oil of devotion. Of these, the spirit of detachment (vairagya) is crucial. Detachment means absence of body attachment. The sense of possessiveness (mamakara) and the ego-feeling are the causes of this raga (disease). Eradicate this disease of attachment through the process of self-enquiry. When you realise the impermanence of the body and all the sensory experiences, you will naturally acquire detachment (vairagya). Discharge all your duties as an offering to God and treat your body solely as a God-given instrument for the purpose of serving others.

Thought for the Day

When a man falls into a well, of what use is it if he controls his voice and his emotions and whispers quietly, "I have fallen into this well.. I have fallen into this well... I am in great danger... Please save me?” and so on. No one will be able to hear or save him. He must shout full-throated, with all the anguish he is experiencing and with the extreme desire to be saved. Then he can hope to get succour. Similarly, when you are caught in the coils of this world, when you have fallen into this deep well of worldly misery, shout with all your might and all your heart, that you may be saved by God. There is no use muttering faintly and half-heartedly, "Save me... I am floundering in this samsaar (worldly life)." When the prayer comes shrieking through the heart, help is assured. Sing with intense yearning for God and enjoy the experience of adoring Him.

Thought for the Day

You must probe into the real significance of samkeerthan (or Bhajan singing) that you are engaged in. Keerthan is ‘singing aloud the Glory of God.’ Samkeerthan is the process of singing that originates in the heart, not from the lips or tongue. It is the expression of the joyous thrill that wells up from the heart when the Glory of God is remembered. It is the spontaneous manifestation of inner ecstasy, no attention is paid to the blame or praise that others may give. It does not seek the admiration or the appreciation of the listeners. It is sung for one's own joy, satisfaction and delight. Keerthan of this supreme type, alone, deserves the name samkeerthan. It is with this high purpose in view that this programme of global samkeerthan was designed. Singing this intense yearning for God and enjoying the experience of adoring Him, helps to purify the atmosphere. It is with this high purpose in view that this programme of global Akhanda Bhajan was designed.

Thought for the Day

The first step to love all and serve all is to expand love in your own homes. You must revere and please your parents who gave you this chance to live and learn. If you ill-treat them or inflict grief on their minds, how can you ever gladden others by service and understanding? You know that when a balloon is blown, it bursts and the air inside it merges with the vast limitless expanse outside. Similarly your love must fill your home, then the society you live, and finally burst open to spread in the Universe. A drop of water held in the palm is soon evaporated; but drop it into the sea and it survives as a part of the sea. It assumes the name and the taste, the majesty and might of the sea! Cultivate Love; sow the seeds of love in all hearts, everywhere around you. That is My Wish, My Mission!

Thought for the Day

When students score low marks parents feel great grief. Similarly, when we fall low in morals and spiritual virtues, our motherland bemoans her fate ten times more sadly. We have to assuage the grief of the physical mother and promote the peace and prosperity of our motherland. The motherland is not a mere lump of earth. When we desire her progress, we have to promote the progress of the people who dwell therein. The skills needed for resuscitating and reforming are found in youth. The reforming process involves the removal, in daily living, of bad conduct and bad habits, and the practice of good conduct and good deeds. You must express your humility, fortitude, equanimity, and gratitude for kindness received, in various acts in your daily life, every day.

Thought for the Day

All worldly pleasures are transient and temporary. Very often they result in sorrow and disappointment. You often experience loss, depression and confusion and have no contentment. Know that lack of contentment is the real loss (Asantrupto nijo nashtah). There is no limit to desires. One feels hungry, another is thirsty. If the thirsty man is offered water, he is not satisfied, he wants a cool drink. When he is given a cool drink, next he wants ice cream, and so on. He is not satisfied with anything. Realize that there is no end to desires for material things in the world. To get rid of these desires, one must turn their mind towards God. The purpose of human birth is to realise the inherent Divinity. That is the way to achieve contentment and lasting bliss. God alone is the source of enduring bliss.

Thought for the Day

Egoism is the most dangerous illusion that has to be exploded and destroyed. Arjuna too suffered this ego. One day when Krishna brought the chariot back to camp, Arjuna wanted that like all charioteers, Krishna should get down first and open the door of the chariot for him. Krishna refused and insisted that Arjuna should alight before He does. At last Krishna won and Arjuna got down. As soon as Krishna left His seat and touched the ground, the chariot went up in flames! The fact was that the various fiery arrows that had the power of burning the chariot had actually hit the target, but due to the presence of Krishna, their igniferous powers could not manifest themselves. Realising this humbled Arjuna; his egoism had a rude shock. He also realised that every action of Divinity was full of significance.

Thought for the Day

You must take care of your body, which is the case for the Divine Spark, until its purpose of Self-Realization is fulfilled. But its nourishment and care should not overshadow the attention due to the mind, its purification and sublimation. Now the body is nourished with breakfast in the morning, lunch at noon, snack break at 4 PM and dinner at night. The body is the cart and the mind is the horse that drags it. Unfortunately no food is given to the horse, which is really the more valuable of the two. Give the mind and culturing of the mind, the importance it deserves, only then life is worth living. The mind has to be hale and hearty, joyous and peaceful, free from agitations and worries. You can keep it happy by recitation of holy names and doing noble acts that helps the wellbeing of all. This will confer you everlasting joy.

Thought for the Day

Many worry themselves with questions on the multiplicity of Divinity. The same current activates the fan and gives air, illumines the bulb and gives light, heats the stove and cooks, moves the wheels around in a train. The instruments are different, but the inner energizer is the same. Some bulbs are 40 watts and some are 60, 100 or 1000 watts. Hence, though the current is one, the illumination varies. Name and form are not essential, focus on the inner truth. Take the case of your own body - the hand is a limb of the body, the hand has fingers, the fingers have nails and so on. Through every part of this and every other limb, flows the same life force. So too, in this universe, which is the body of God, every being is a part, sustained by the same divine essence. So honour everyone, revere the essential Divine.

Thought for the Day

The very first lesson I gave when I declared My Identity at Uravakonda was: "Maanasa Bhajare Gurucharanam, Dusthara Bhava Saagara Tharanam." That is to say: First know that you are in this cycle of birth and death, the ocean of worldly life (bhava saagaram); then resolve on crossing it (tharanam); then fix on a Guru or the Name and Form of God which appeals to you; lastly, dwell on His Glory, do bhajan, but do it with all your mind. He, who is deluded by this relative reality is the worldly person (samsaari); he who is aware that it is only relatively real is the spiritual practitioner (saadhaka)

Thought for the Day

The best means to stay in contact with the Higher Self at all times, is to follow the simple exercise of Namasmarana, the repetition of any one of the Names of the Lord; a Name that signifies the glory that lies embedded in every being. People indulge in all types of purposeless gossip, conversations and scandal. Many find time and interest in these degrading pursuits. But they have no inclination to awaken the Divine in them by constant remembrance of the Creator and His Splendour. See only those scenes that will foster this discipline; speak only of elevating and uplifting subjects; listen only to purifying topics; think and feel only pure thoughts and emotions. That is the way to develop the Divinity inherent in each one.

Thought for the Day

It is true that milk contains butter; sesame seeds contain oil; cane yields sugar. But by merely holding milk in the hand, you cannot get butter; filling the lamp with sesame seeds you cannot light the wick, shaking the cane will not result in a shower of sugar. By placing sweets on a plate in front of you and reciting 108 times "sweets, sweets.." can your tongue relish it? Similarly you study many holy books, and chant mantras and hymns. Of course, the time spent in these activities is thereby rendered holy. But, these are not helping you to transform the work you are engaged in into an offering acceptable to God. Are you putting into practice at least one percent of what you read or recite? Mere reading and singing will not free you from the cycle of birth and death. God has to be planted firmly in the mind, the omnipresent God has to be enshrined in the heart; God has to flow with the blood in the veins. God has to be visualised through the inner eye.

Thought for the Day

Millions read and write; millions have qualified for degrees and have become experts and specialists. This only means that they are efficient collectors of information or big encyclopaedias of general knowledge! But none can say, who one really is. People try to fly millions of miles into space, but they are powerless to travel even half an inch into their own inner realm and discover what lies therein. What is the use then, of the vast amount of exertion and energy they have spent for their education? True learning must be like that of ancient India, where knowledge and scientific temper was developed and practised along with sense and mind control, and character development. That will be beneficial to the individual, the society and lead to the progressive unfolding of the Divinity present in every being.

Thought for the Day

Proceed ever towards strength (balam). Do not take to untruth, wickedness, and crookedness – all of which denotes a fundamental fatal trait of cowardice and weakness (bala heenam). Weakness is born of accepting as true, a lower image of yourself than what the facts warrant. That is the main mistake. You believe you are the husk, but you really are the kernel. All spiritual practices must be directed to the removal of the husk and the revelation of the kernel. So long as you say, ”I am so and so”, there is bound to be fear. Once you say and feel “I am Divine” (Aham Brahmasmi), you get unconquerable strength. 

Thought for the Day

Illusion is like a fierce dog that will not allow anyone to near its Master, God. You can easily manage to by-pass it by assuming the Form of the Master which is called Sarupyam or by calling out to the Master so loudly that He comes down and accompanies you into the house; that is to say, by winning His Grace as proximity, Saameepyam. Illusion is His pet and so will not harm you, if He orders not to. Illusion is the blemish that affects the mind. The Master comes to save not just one good person from Illusion, but the whole of mankind. Of course, He has to come assuming a form that man can love, revere, and appreciate.

Grama Seva covered puttaparthy village today

Today Students covered Puttaparthi village and it was the third day of Grama Seva.

Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna started

The Seven Day Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna got underway in Poornachandra Auditorium this morning .

Other Excellent Performance by UK team

Devotees from the UK  offered a special Musical Offering yesterday in Prasanthi Nilayam. Roopa Panesar again showed her talent in music-especially Sitar.All the listeners enjoyed the program and gave big clap.After the wonderful performance youth from the UK continued with a medley of fast bhajans, singing with devotional exhuberance.

Thought for the Day

Cleanse the heart with the water of love and the detergents of prayer and contrition, so that the stains of desire will be removed. Then God will pour His Grace into it. If you yearn for God, you should give up attachment to the external world and to the body (Loka bhranthi and Deha bhranthi). There is no use trying to put one foot in one boat and another in a different boat. You may have been a spiritual aspirant for 20 or 25 years, but if you worry more about physical needs and comforts than meditation and spiritual progress, then the years of practice is of no value, as there has been no progress. The waving of the camphor flame (aarti) at the end of the prayer or bhajan session is to remind you that your sensual cravings must be burnt away without leaving any trace behind. You must offer yourself completely to God, to be merged in His Glory.

Thought for the Day

A merchant was once brought before a magistrate for selling adulterated ghee (clarified butter). Judgment was pronounced and as a punishment he was asked to either consume the entire quantity of the foul ghee or receive 20 whips or pay a fine of 100 gold coins. He preferred the ghee and started drinking the stuff a little bit, but finding the smell unbearable, he then chose the stripes. He received a few but could not stand any more. So finally he pleaded with the magistrate to let him go with the fine and paid his dues. If only he had opted for this initially, he could have avoided the foul drink and the excruciating pain. By swaying in his decision, he had to taste the wreck and the rod. So too, most people do not opt for God in the beginning when grief overpowers them. They do not recognize the inevitability but eventually come to God, sooner or later. Make your choices wisely

Thought for the Day

Like the silkworm that spins from out of itself the cocoon that proves to be its tomb, man spins from out of his mind the cage in which he gets trapped eventually. But there is a way of escape, which the spiritual teacher (Guru) can teach you or which the God in you will reveal to you. Take to the spiritual practices that will bring you relief. Forget the past; do not worry about possible errors or disappointments. Decide and Do. Substitute good thoughts for the bad and cleanse the mind of all evil by dwelling on righteous deeds and holy thoughts. Forget the things you do not want to remember and bring to memory only those things that are worth remembering. Take on the role of the Hero from now on, not the Zero. This is a sure way to achieve spiritual progress.

Thought for the Day

If only the agony and toil now being experienced by you to accumulate the symbols of wealth and power for keeping yourself and your family in comfort, are directed towards God, you can be infinitely happier. The veil of maya (illusion), however, hides from you the face of God which is shining from every being and thing around you. Maya creates the universe and attracts the mind with the vast paraphernalia of the objective world. It is a narthaki, an enchantress who entices the intelligence and traps the senses. This na-rtha-ki can be subdued by ki-rtha-na (note the re-ordering of the syllables). Kirthana is the concentrated contemplation of the glory of God. 

Thought for the Day

A small lump of steel can become a beautiful and efficient watch through the application of intelligence and skill. Can not a human being be transformed into one who has realised the Ultimate through the application of the tools of discrimination and detachment? Have faith in yourself, your own capacity to adhere to a strict time-table of sadhana, your own ability to reach the goal of realisation. When you have no faith in the wave, how can you get faith in the ocean? Do not give ear to what others say. Believe your experience; what gives you peace and joy, the bliss of Aathma anandham - the joy of the Inner Self. Believe in that. That is the real basis for faith

Thought for the Day

Meditate upon the flute of Krishna and the melody it aroused in the veins of mankind, animals, birds, plants and even hills, rivers and rocks on sand dunes. Dwell also on the supreme love of the Gopis, their surrender of everything, gross and subtle, of ego and egoistic attachment at the feet of the Supreme Being. They spoke no word except prayer, they moved no step, except towards God, they saw and heard only Krishna in every being, they spoke every word of Him, to Him, no matter who was present with them. Lord Krishna filled their hearts and transmuted them into the most self-effacing group of devotees the world has ever seen. And know that the Lord’s assurance, "Yogakshemam Vahaamyaham" (I shall take care of the well being of My devotees) is no empty declaration; it is the vow of the Lord, and He is the very embodiment of Truth.

Sai Jyothi Offers Medley Of Sai Devotionals

The visiting UK group “Sai Jyothi” presented a medley of devotional songs this evening in Prasanthi Nilayam. Beginning with an instrumental playing to the tune of “Vande Uma Nandanam” invoking Lord Ganesha, the presentation progressed into a Hindi solo by Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla followed by a medley of devotionals in English.

Thought for the Day

The best among men is one who has compassion; the most blessed time is the 'present', this very second, and the best act is to relieve the pain and grief of others. You decide to start Naamasmarana (remembrance of the Divine Name) ‘next Thursday’, as if death has assured you in writing that he will not call on you till that date. Do not postpone what you can do today or do now, this very moment. Make your efforts towards your goal. The goal will near you faster than the pace with which you near the goal. God is as eager to save you as you are eager to be saved. He is Love, He is Compassion for all who flounder on the path. God grants the desires of each one of His devotees, and hence has won the name, Bhaktha Abheeshta Pradha.

Musical Program-Sai Anandam

The group Sai Jyothi  from UK, offered a classical musical presentation entitled ‘Sai Anandam’,in Sai Kulwanth Hall this evening.It was an amazing program by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization UK.Sai Anandam had

• Roopa Panesar  on Sitar,
• Kirpal Singh Panesar on Tar Shehnai,
• Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla on Santoor and Vocals,
• Gurdian Singh Rayatt on Tabala.

Bhajans ended with the “Madhura Madhura Ghana Muraleedhara Shyama…” in Bhagawan’s own voice. Mangala Arathi was offered at 18.15 hrs.

Thought of Mahatma Gandhi

• When you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.
• God alone is the judge of true greatness because He knows men's hearts.
• The good man is the friend of all living things.

Thought for the Day

When you feed the cow with fermented gruel so that it may yield more milk, the milk emits an unpleasant smell. When you engross yourself too much with the trifles of the world, your character and conduct will also become unpleasant. It would indeed be tragic to witness the downfall of a ‘child of immortality’, struggling in despair and distress. If only you were to ask yourself: “What are my qualifications? What is my position? What are the opportunities I am bestowed with?” Then you will soon realize your own downfall and make efforts to recover. Will a tiger, however hungry eat popcorn or peanuts? Stay focussed on the goal worthy of your lineage. Never slacken the effort, whatever be the obstacle, however long the journey. Keep your efforts on, in line with the dignity of your noble goals.

Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Parthi Teertha Yatra

This evening hundreds of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand people conducting Parthi Yathra here.

Thought for the Day

If your thoughts are centred around the body, you will have worries of pains and illnesses, real or imaginary. If they are centred on riches, you will be worried about profit and loss, tax and exemptions. If they roam round fame, then, you are bound to suffer from the ups and downs of scandal, calumny and jealousy. So let them centre round the seat of power and love which deserve willing submission - the Name of the Lord. Let your whole being surrender to it. Then you will be happy forever. For the sages of the Vedic culture, the Name of the Lord was the very breath; they lived on the sustenance, which contemplation of the Lord’s glory provided. God is the very embodiment of Love. He can be won only through Love.

Thought for the Day

When worship is rendered with a view to fulfill desires and realize wishes, the precious prize will be lost. Worship must cleanse the heart, so that God, the Indweller, may shine in all His glory. Know that desires tarnish the heart, instead of cleansing it. Invite a prince, who is yet a child to sit on the throne – he will start weeping, for he cannot play on the throne with his toys and pets. The adults would sneer at the boy’s fondness for toys, they would call it childishness. So too, all those, who keep away from the throne of ‘Sovereignty over themselves’ and prefer to play with the toys and pets of material things are equally childish, no matter what their age or status is

Thought for the Day

Repeating the Name of God saved Prahladha from the agony of torture. He learnt the Sacred Name and understood its sweetness. He chanted it constantly and internalized its nectarine taste. When the enraged elephant rushed towards him, he did not call out for his physical parents to rescue him; he instantaneously cried out ”Narayana”. The Lord is the source of strength for the weak and the strong; He is the Supreme Power. When Prahladha took the Name of the Lord, enraged elephants backed out, no fire could touch him and no poison could affect him. The Lord’s Name was his armour, his shield, his breath, infact his very life. For chanting the Divine Name, no expense is involved, no materials are needed, no special place or time is required. Scholarship, caste or creed does not matter. When a piece of iron is rubbed on a slab of stone, heat is generated. So too, in order to generate sufficient heat to melt the soft heart of the Lord, repeat the Divine Name vigorously and constantly. Then, the Lord will shower His Grace.

Thought for the Day

The tree of life can yield the fruit of bliss only when it is watered with virtue and fed on faith. Provision of food, clothing, and shelter will not ensure peace and joy; they can come only through virtue and faith. Virtue alone can endow love and sympathy. We are now putting the cart (the body) before the horse (mind) and providing for the safety and strength of the cart alone. The horse (mind) is allowed to grow wild or is starved. Harmony at home and in society can be brought about only through the recognition of the Oneness of All. Virtues alone can endow love and sympathy, peace and joy for one and all.

Thought of Mahatma Gandhi

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

Thought for the Day

In the firmament of the heart, the intellect (sun) and the mind (moon) revolve on their regular courses. If envy, greed, hate or malice dim the glory, they are to be dismissed as passing clouds that cannot affect the sources of light. The more you reason out things, the clearer will become the reality. Reasoning power will never hinder the discovery of the Truth; only you have to go as far as reason can take you; then you can see the vast vistas beyond. Man has been endowed with enormous, immeasurable talents, skills and power; but is using all that to travel to the moon, instead of journeying towards the wonderland of one’s own inner realms, where one can come face to face with God who is the Inner Reality of this entire phenomenal world.

Thought of Mahatma Gandhi

International Peace

I do not believe that an individual may gain spiritually and those that surround him suffer. I believe in advaita. I believe in the essential unity of man and for that matter of all that lives. Therefore I believe that if one man gains spiritually, the whole world gains with him and, if one man falls, the whole world falls to that extent.

Happy Gandhi Jayanthi

Today celebrate 143rd birth anniversary of Great Mahatma Gandhi.

Thought for the Day

A glowing electric lamp can be compared to Prema (Love). For the lamp of love to burn, there should be a bulb, which is Shanthi (peace). The electric wire connected to the bulb is Dharma (Right Conduct). The current flowing into the wire is Sathya (Truth). Thus, the lamp of love glows and sheds its light, using all other human values. Sathya, Dharma, Santhi and Prema constitute a single whole and not separate values. All the four values have to be adhered to equally. Prema must express itself in professional life too. Develop the feeling that all in your place of work - managers, workers and others are members of one family. Develop fraternal feelings towards all. With mutual love and regard, harmony can be achieved even in one’s profession.

Thought for the Day

You see and hear certain things during the day. But when you go to bed and dream during sleep, you are not aware of all this; you see and experience a new set of events, which seem as real, as impressive, and as significant as those you witnessed when awake. And when in deep sleep, nothing ‘is’, except probably the inner consciousness that you are. When you dream, the dream is real; when awake, the waking experience is as real as the dream was. The fact is, it is all a dream, a creation of the mind when the Atma (the true self) is reflected on it. Remove that mind, then there will be nothing on which the Atma reflects. The Atma shall then shine in its own splendour. Jnana (Wisdom) is passing from the dream stage to the waking stage, and realising the dream to be unreal. Seek the springs of bliss within you and happiness will be your lot, here and forever. Believe that the bliss within you is derived from God who is your Reality.

Thought for the Day

You must expand your love as much as you can. That is how kulaabhimanam, mathaabhimanam and deshaabimanam - affection for one’s community, one’s religion and one’s country becomes desirable and commendable. If, instead of love, these create hatred towards other communities, religions and countries, then they become poisonous. Love your religion, such that you may practice it with greater faith! When each one practices one’s religion with faith, there can be no hatred in this world, for all religions are built on the principle of universal love. Let the purity which you are manifest itself; endeavour to express it in your activities - that is what pleases Me and wins My grace.

Thought for the Day

The Government, the administration and the people (prabhuthwam, adhikaaris and praja) are like the three blades of an electric fan; when all three rotate together in the same direction and at the same speed, they conduce to comfort. Anger, malice, greed, envy - all these are obstacles in the path of love and cooperation. They lower man from the Divine to the animal level. Bear with others with patience and understanding; practise forbearance and sympathy. Try to discover points of contact rather than that of conflict. Spread brotherliness and deepen kindness through knowledge. Then without fail, life shall become worthwhile.

Thought for the Day

When a few tiny stones get mixed in rice and get between the teeth, one laments in disgust that the plate of rice is but a plate of stones. It is human nature to exaggerate in order to create an impression. Often, people treat joy as incidental and insignificant and dwell more on grief and pain. Do not give in during times of trouble. The root-cause for losses, troubles, poverty and difficulties is the loss of self-confidence and enthusiasm. The secret of strength and courage lies within you. Good people and well-wishers imbued with spontaneity, sacrifice and a spirit of detachment are very much present amongst us. Have faith and do not despair or lose faith in yourself or God. With sincere faith, act, speak and think in a manner that God is pleased and surrender yourself to Him completely. Be pure, be simple, be sincere and He will answer your agonising call.

Samoohika Upanayana Brahmopadesha Mahothsavam Conducted

Sacred Samoohika Upanayanam ceremony was conducted in the divine presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Sai Kulwanth Hall this morning.Around one thosand participants(boys) from all over the South India took part in this grand ceremony.The program started at 8.00 AM with the Vedam recital. The participants were allocated to sit along with both their parents to perform pooja at Kulwanth Hall.The program ended with Bhajans and Arathi at 11.30 AM .
There was a feast arranged at south Indian Canteen for all the devotees after the program.The entire program was conducted by Sri Sathya Sai Organization Karnataka.

Thought for the Day

There are some people, who always condemn themselves and their lives, and aspire for the grace of God to save them. They think that jeeva (individual) and Deva (Almighty) are two separate entities and can never merge or unite. This is untrue. Sin is not the real nature of human beings. They are repositories of peace, joy, truth and justice and are pure, good, loving and wise. Endeavour to express through your actions, the purity that you are. This pleases the Lord and He will shower His grace. Pray for even those who express greed or hate, sympathize with their ignorance and pray that their steps may be directed towards justice and love. Expand your love to as wide a circle as possible. Prayer has great efficacy. Cultivate the universal vision and pray for the peace and happiness of all mankind, of all animate and inanimate things.

Thought for the Day

Instead of indulging in vain prattle, glorify God and walk in His path and pray to Him. Spend the allotted span of years in the contemplation and the adoration of the Almighty, not in servile praise of the feeble, the futile and the weak. Life is an opportunity afforded to each, not to merely eat and drink, but to achieve something nobler and grander: to master oneself and merge in the Reality. The discipline must come from within, not from without; people must control themselves through their own innate strength, not get controlled through fear of someone or desire for temporary gain. Self-control promotes self-reliance, self-knowledge and self-advancement.

Maha Sahasra Kalashabhishekam & Samoohika Upanayana Brahmopadesha Mahothsavam

A Maha Sahasra Kalashabhishekam is scheduled for tomorrow morning in the Sai Kulwant Hall.
A significant feature of the program is that, Water collected from all sacred rivers of India, collected in thousand containers, will be offered at the Divine Lotus Feet during the occasion, as part of the rituals.

Samoohika Upanayana Brahmopadesha Mahothsavam is scheduled for day after tomorrow morning.Lot of students from Sri Sathya Sai Institute are doing their Upanayanam on the occasion

Thought for the Day

The body is the temple of God, He is the resident of the heart, and intelligence (Buddhi) is the lamp that is lit in its altar. Protect the lamp and its glow from the wind that blows through the windows of the senses and threatens to put them out. Close the windows, do not keep them open for dire attraction from objects. Keep your intellect sharp, so that it may cut the mind into a diamond and convert it into a blaze of light, instead of being a dull pebble. Discrimination is an important instrument of spiritual progress. Attachment, affection, and interests - these create prejudice, partiality, and illusion. They hide the truth and dull the intelligence. The reasoning faculty must be employed to distinguish between the limited and the unlimited, the temporary and the Eternal

Thought for the Day

This is an ancient observation true even today – that most people spend their childhood in pranks and play, their youth in sports, pleasure and pastime, middle age in plans and schemes to pile up a fortune, and old age in hospitals trying to bolster failing health through failing wealth. Earning and spending, one fills their time with work and worry. People are busy with a number of attempts to earn happiness, but success is little and short-lived. The only panacea for all ills, the effort that will result in total victory is the control of the mind, which is the master of the senses. Every sense organ is an outlet for energy that binds one to the objective world. The senses are induced by the mind to move out and attach themselves to objects. You must make the mind submit to viveka (wisdom), which discriminates between right and wrong. Then the mind, instead of harming, will help you.

Thought for the Day

Those who plan to raise the standard of living today are watering the branches, the leaves and the blossoms of the tree of life. Instead, to nurture the tree, you must foster and water the root. So too, to lead a good life, you must foster and water the virtues, which are the roots, so that the flowers of actions, words and thoughts may bloom in fragrance and yield the fruit of service (seva), and the sweet juice of joy (ananda). Planning for food, clothing and shelter is only promoting the well-being of the cart. Also plan for the horse, which is the mind. The mind has to use the food, the clothing, the shelter and other objects in the Universe for the high purpose of escaping from the bonds of the ego to the Universal.

Thought for the Day

Statesmen and elected representatives declare that they are trying their best to develop the resources, natural and human, and to provide on the basis of those resources, food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, security and health to the people. But the development of the moral and spiritual resources are neglected and the provision of peace and spiritual happiness is ignored. Happiness and peace do not necessarily follow when people are fed and clothed well, comfortably housed and highly educated, well employed or when there is no injury to health or security. There are quite a large number of people who have all these in plenty but are yet worried, in pain or discontented. Peace and happiness depend on what lies within and not on outer skill or riches. Every being is fundamentally Divine and so, the more one manifests the divine attributes of Love, Justice, Truth and Peace, the more joy one shall be able to give and receive.

Ganesha idol immersion procession by Sathya Sai Students

This evening different Ganesha idols were taken in various chariots that have been made by Sathya Sai students in procession for Bhagavan's  blessing.This was followed by idol immersion in a grand manner as a part of on going Ganesha Chathturthi festival.

Thought for the Day

To protect valuables, jewels, legal documents and precious metals like silver and gold from thieves, you go to the banks and deposit them in the safe vaults or lockers. Thus, you dismiss the anxiety in your minds, are freed from worry and are able to sleep in peace at your homes. So too, you must surrender to the Lord, your jewels of intelligence, brilliance and capacity to serve. Most importantly, you attach a lot of value to your ego – leave it also to His care. Then you will be very happy. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna – Maam Ekam Sharanam Vraja - Surrender to Me alone. Then, He assures, Maa suchah - You need not grieve at all.

Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Hyderabad Present A Dance Program

Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Hyderabad presented a dance program this evening.The program entitled "Sri Sathya Sai Natya Malika".

Thought for the Day

It is always preferable to approach God for the fulfilment of your wants, rather than cringe before others, who themselves are but tools in the hands of God. In his own silent way, God will transform the mind and turn it towards spiritual practices and successful spiritual pilgrimage. He cannot allow his children to lose their way and suffer in the jungle. When you approach God and seek his help and guidance, you have taken the first step to save yourself. You are then led to accept His will as your own. Thus, you achieve peace. God draws you to Him to re-form and re-shape you. God is a kind of smith, who repairs broken, leaky, and damaged ‘human-ware’. He is adept at fixing broken hearts, fragile minds, warped intellects, feeble resolutions and fading faith. Come to Him with hands that salute in prayer, hands that are eager to serve. Then, He fills them with loads of Grace.

Balvikas of Puttaparthi present a cultural program.

The program named as "Sathya Sai Parijatalu" and this is the maiden cultural presentation by the Balvikas of Puttaparthi. Hundred children from in and around the village participated in the presentation.The presentation had beautiful interludes of song and dance sequences, heralding the glory of Sri Sathya Sai Avatar. The presentation ended with giving Bhagawan’s message of Love and Service to all.

Ganesh Satues in Puttaparthy

Ganesh Statue in Samadhi Road

Ganesh Statue in Chitravathi Road

Ganesh Statue in Gopuram Road First Cross

Ganesh Statue in Near Sai Tower

Other Ganesh Statues

Musical Program In Sai Kulwanth Hall

This morning students present devotional music interlaced with instrumental and dance for forty-five minutes in Sai Kulwanth Hall.

Thought for the Day

Lord Vinayaka is the leader of all, He has no leaders or master. Whenever a new task is undertaken, it is customary to invoke Lord Vinayaka’s blessings for the successful completion of the task. When you pray to Him and seek His blessings, all your efforts will meet with success. Lord Vinayaka’s elephant-head denotes that He can be compared to an elephant in intelligence, which always thinks twice before setting its foot forward. Lord Vinayaka is full of wisdom. The name Ganapati denotes that He is full of vijnana (higher wisdom), sujnana (discriminatory wisdom), and prajnana (constant integrated awareness). People today forget the underlying meaning in the name Ganapati and engage themselves in mere rituals. You may not perform any rituals, but never give up worshipping Lord Vinayaka.

Puttaparthy will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi tomorrow

Here People will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi tomorrow,and they are placing variety of Ganesh statues in each corner.
This morning students from Sri Sathya Sai Institute Of Higher Learning offered a bouquet of devotional hymns in Sai Kulwant Hall.
In the evening, Balvikas Children from Puttaparthi will present a Veda chanting session followed by a Dance Drama entitled “Parthi Parijathamulu”.

Thought for the Day

The word Dhanam (wealth) means any valued possession, an object of affection. It does not merely mean riches and precious metals. The most valued possession of human beings is Self-Knowledge. Arjuna earned this, and hence was called ‘Dhananjaya’. Anyone can earn riches or money – even crooks, dacoits and pirates amass money. True wealth, worthy of deposits in the Divine Bank, is earned only by those who struggle to be virtuous, detached, humble and holy. Do not underestimate the value of this deposit. Your meritorious noble deeds, your purity, the selfless love that you manifest with your fellow beings – bring to God these precious commodities and He will readily accept them as deposits to your credit.

Thought for the Day

When a man is suffering from the effects of cobra-bite, they give him chillies to chew; the idea is that the ailing person will not feel the spicy taste, if the poison is still in his system. So too, when the poison of worldly sensualism is there, worship, japam (contemplation), and dhyanam (meditation) - all of this will taste drab and dismal. Above all, insist on the senses obeying you when you command them to desist from dragging you. Or else you are like a car without a brake. With the senses under control, your intelligence will become clear to reflect the Glory of God that pervades the Universe. That is the teaching of the scriptures. Steady faith alone can help you earn victory. Hold on till the realization is rewarded to you.

Thought for the Day

Be firm to not discard the one Name and Form you have selected carefully; even if someone speaks ill about them. Hold fast to your chosen deity and save yourselves. At the same time, do not cavil at others’ chosen deities. Undermining the faith of another or disturbing your own - both are wrong. Faith is a plant of slow growth. Its roots go deep into the heart. Silence is the best spiritual practice to guard faith. Hence I insist that you adopt this as the first and most important step in your spiritual journey. The Lord’s feet, eyes and face is compared to the Lotus, because He is like the Lotus - unaffected by the environment it is in. You too, must be smiling at all times, imparting joy to all around you and making their burden lighter.

Thought for the Day

When you are in need of money, you can borrow capital from banks, that is, if you mortgage land, jewels or property you have earned or inherited from parents or ancestors. The Divine Banker also lets you to draw upon the deposits made through noble acts from previous births. That is why, at times, you find some people, who are wicked and cruel, mean and miserly, appear to lead happy lives, free from pain and grief. These are drawn upon from deposits made in the past and they are entitled to that happiness. Overdrafts or loans help you tide over temporary crisis and will be available only in proportion to the value of mortgages or deposits. In the Divine Bank, you can be fully protected from distress and grief when you earn the Grace of God (Anugraha). Engage in noble deeds, good thoughts, good feelings, and good company and be in constant contemplation of the Divine, God’s Grace will be showered on you.

Thought for the Day

In spite of warnings, admonitions, advice and appeals that one should not submerge themselves in the trivial and the transitory, people are still drawn towards misery by defects in their understanding. Hatred, greed, factions and fights are prevalent because God is discarded as superfluous or as superstition. The scriptures are the records of the thoughts and experiences of pure and unprejudiced love-filled seekers of truth. You will do well, if you trust them. They clearly explain the following tenets: Love alone prevails, Detachment is your true wealth, Unity alone is the truth and God alone should be your goal in life. Just as when light from the oil-based lamp gets dull, its wick is adjusted or fuel is added, it is about time the nobler and higher impulses of all human beings are invigorated. That alone will save you from calamity. You must desire for your liberation from the bonds you have woven around yourself.

Unforgettable Moments-Sathya Sai Baba and Sachin Tendulkar

Sathya Sai Baba and Sachin Tendulkar on the match between  India XI vs World XI  at the hillview stadium in Puttaparthi.

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Sathya Sai Baba's Birthday fuction.

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Sathya Sai Baba Bless Sachin Tendulkar