Sri Guru Charitra - The Guru in our midst..

Jai Sai Master!

Everyday is a regular day and we continue to live in a state of confusion, with no understanding of what is life and why we were born as humans? Anyone will be surprised if posed a question of that kind, and feel the one who is asking has gone crazy. People who live with the "short term and long term goals in life", do not even know if there can be a purpose in life. However, majority live in constant fear of God and keep going to temples on those "auspicious" days, without even understanding why there are so many of them. When asked, either they shy away from answering or feel those questions are irrelevant in front of the bigger challenges world has thrown at them, like insecurity for family, rising costs, quality of life or horrible traffic which is depriving them of the so called "happiness" which they are searching for in various organisations or bigger hyper malls or multiplexes. 

Behind all these aritificiality, every human being is so confused, many of them want to get on to the route of becoming a Sishya and chooses a Guru for themselves and start proclaiming that they are the followers of so and so, and the rest continue to live their "life". However, if Guru were to be available so easily like a vegetable to be picked up by choice in a super market, then all those scriptures or the Mahathmas would not have struggled so much in teaching or God would have taken rest happily thinking every human being would attain liberation end of their life time. But it is not TRUE. Then, how to go about?

Like for every life threatening problem, there is a strong and challenging solution, here too, there is one. Try preparing oneself to be able to understand what Guru might offer, if at all HE comes infront. Without preparation, no one can face anything. For this preparation, age old tradition is to read scriptures and follow them in real life. 

In Sri Sai Leelamrutham, Shirdi Sai Baba says the following, which says, the one who reads about HIM, talks about HIM or sings about HIM will be protected. All those who follow HIM, will get happiness when they read HIS charitra. HE also says, all those who think about HIM or HIS leelas, or pray to HIM continuously, will be free of issues pertaining senses. HE also said HE will protect anyone from death if they listen to HIS  with bhakthi and sincerity, and will be liberated from diseases, and will get peace and happiness:

One has to constantly read about HIM and understand HIM. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba also indicated to many of devotees to read Sri Guru Charitra, a holy book, which explains life and teachings of Lord Dattatreya and HIS other avataras, Sri Sri Pada Vallabha and Sri Nrusimha Saraswati also knows as Sri Guru. This is the holy book which is recommended to read to prepare oneself well for understanding who is  Guru and why one should aspire for a Guru in life. This is akin to many other religions, where the holy scriptures are read by every member of the family diligently as a tradition. In Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib ji is revered as Guru by all Sikhs. In Maharastra, even today, many families do puja to Sri Guru Charitra, as their Guru. That is the importance given to Sri Guru Charitra in our lives.

Every human being must understand what is the purpose of the life, why only self is human while there are many life forms, why intelligent is treated as differentiator and how to use it, to attain the final goal of human life, that is - liberation. On the eve of SRI GURUCHARITRA KRUTAGNATARCHANA tomorrow, let us try our best to follow the chosen tradition and make use of this Holy scripture available for all of us. Let us pray to Lord Dattatreya and HIS many forms, to bless us with the our life goal. 

Jai Sai Master!!

Sai Leelamrutham Kritagnatarchana 2013 - A brief

Jai Sai Master!

Today, 12th May 2013, like every year, Sri Sai Leelamrutam Kritagnatarchana was celebrated at Nagole in Divyajanani Sannidhi. An event which is observed as a gratitude to Sri Sai Master, is celebrated on 2nd Sunday of the month of May every year. 

Sri Sai Leelamrutam, one of the holy books written on Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, gives a glimpse of what HE is and the more we try to understand the better it helps us to understand the presence of the Consciousness which HE is, every where. In Sri Sai Leelamrutam, Sri Sai Master gives a wonderful picture of Sri Sai Baba so that we can remember HIM any time of the day, doing any activity. Infact, the more and more we understand HIM, the more and more we will be surprised at HIS omnipresence, which will help us walk in the right way in any situation. For giving us such a book, we must be indebted to Sri Sai Master for ever and as a part expressing our gratitude, this function was celebrated today (being second sunday of the month May).

Lifetime Teachings 18 - SAI MASTER SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

It is quite common for everyone to idolize someone or some theory in life. Many consider that to be a very good motivating factor and also to benchmark against, to see how we are faring in our life. However, many a time, we fall woefully short of following the same. This could be either we have not understood the theory well or do not know the person well. In both the cases, we must dive deep to know more, as much as we can and start following with all sincerity, and with integrity. 

In general, people talk about GOD and try to emulate them. But, we either grossly go wrong in understanding their deeds or use their names very inappropriately. This is quite common with Lord Krishna, whose name is associated with number of wives more than for HIS wonderful Bhagavadgita. This too very loosely without knowing the facts. Same is happening with Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, to where lakhs flock to every week. However, how many care to follow what HE said or how HE lived? Sri Sai Master says in Sri Gurucharitra (telugu chapter 33), if one loves the GOD, then why they do not love what HE asked everyone to do or follow? Many a time in a day, this keeps hitting me again and again and for any such situation that reminds me of this line, a method or way of doing is given in Sri Sai Leelamrutam. However, when I start contemplating on such short comings, the doubt arises whether I sincerely love HIM or is it a superficial sham?

The Omnipresent and omnipotent - Sri Shirdi Sai Baba!

Jai Sai Master!

Many of us talk about divine intervention for many events in our life, be marriage, be getting a job or solving issues in our professional life, birth of a child and such. While it is a great feeling to attribute to the divine intervention, feeling that rest of the life is self driven, purely based on our strength or knowledge whatever, is bringing down our own opinion about the all pervasive and omnipresent consciousness which manifested in every form in the universe.

If we can feel, every moment of our life, we can surely understand the divine play, be in the way we are living, or the way thoughts bring generated or even bringing us under the spell of maya. Only those who are conscious or living in the present can realise the same.

Let noble thoughts flow from all directions - A new year wish!

Jai Sai Master!

On the eve of another year entering in to our lives, looking at the current situation around, probably, the only wish we need to have in our minds is:

Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah! - Let noble thoughts flow from all directions.

To ensure we live "happily" and let others live "happily", there can not be a better message than this in my view. It is proven that there is only one energy that is appearing in different forms all over the universe. The same energy, which is called by different names, repeatedly gave the message that it is all one. 

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba said - I am in Shirdi and also everywhere. The entire universe is in me. All that you see combined is ME. Those who think that I am in Shirdi, have not seen me at all. 

(From Sri Sai Leelamrutam - a holy book written by Sri Sai Master)

Lifetime Teachings 15 - SAI MASTER SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

We all seek knowledge. Everyone of us, every moment, try to seek something..be information or clarifications, which definitely will enhance our current level of information. Only issue is, ability to use the information appropriately, in right time and at right place. This is something that many of us lack due to our inability to analyse and stack them up rightly. Either we put them in silos thinking life is compartmentalized or dump them and fail to retrieve on-time. Since life is not like question and answer kind, many of us get lost in the sea of information.

Lifetime Teachings 14 - SAI MASTER SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

Proving existence of something that is not seen is a very difficult task and particularly when we talk about the ULTIMATE TRUTH. Only the realised souls have the real feel of the same and they say, it is a matter of experience rather than simple explanation, about that state. It is a like current flowing in the wire which helps to light the bulb, which is unseen but exists, when tested. There is no denial of the fact, especially, in this side of the world about that ULTIMATE TRUTH. 

Shirdi Sai, in HIS inimitable ways, taught this in very simple terms. HE never was one to talk of words like Brahman, Maya etc.. Instead, HE taught people how one can feel the GOD in everything around - The omnipresence.

(from Sri Sai Leelamrutam - written by Pujya Acharya Sri Ekkirala Bharadwaja)

Vijaya Dasami Celebrations@Nagole

Jai Sai Master!

For every Shirdi Sai devotee, Sri Sai Satcharitra is nothing new. This is a book written by Sri Hemadpant, but infact, was written by Sri Sai HIMSELF as mentioned by Sri Hemadpant. When Sri Hemadpant asked for permission to pen HIS life history, BABA asked him to collect and put them together. This very much indicates the desire of Sri BABA who wanted the leelas to help every seeker. HE never felt HIMSELF as a body, but gave enough evidences to prove the ultimate truth or the omnipresent. 

Amma puttinaroju - Remembering Omnipresence of the Energy!

Jai Sai Master!

It is energy everywhere. The ever dynamic and appearing in various forms. For those who can "see", it manifests in different forms. Since everyone can not see, the same manifested in the human form, with different names. One can call it with any name, the same energy responds with the intensity with which we call. Deeper the intensity, better response. But to have the deeper intensity, we need to rise ourselves above the way we are living now, with a perspective limited to self or to the near and dear ones. It has to become much wider and wider and encompass the larger society, then the intensity becomes more and the manifestation appears in the form that gives what we are looking for...THE WHOLESOME HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT.

Lifetime Teachings 10- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

In Sri Sai Leelamrutam, we find that Kushabhau, Sathe and Hemadpanth reached a stage where they could be blessed by Sri Shirdi Sai Baba in the best manner, only after they did parayana of Sri Gurucharitra. Sri Vasudevananda Saraswati, Rangavadhuta and Nane Maharaj were all given directions and enabled to receive the blessings of their Guru to  become mahatmas, only after they did parayana of this holy book, Sri Guru Charitra.  After second avatar of Lord Datta, Sri Nrisimha Saraswati left this world, Namadharaka, who heard about HIS greatness through various leelas performed by the Lord, comes to Sri Kshetra Gangapur. There, Sri Nrisimha Saraswati appears to him as Siddha in his dream. When Namadharaka wakes up, Siddha yogi, appears to him in physical form and recites Sri Gurucharitra to him..

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba told many to follow this process and thus reiterated the point that this is the only way to find a Sadguru. As one reads this holy book, they become aware of dharma and start living in the way. Slowly their yearning becomes so great, that Sadguru comes to him as a mother comes to the child. Then that Sadguru takes the yearning disciple in to HIS fold and takes him in the path of salvation.

Sri Sai Leelamrutam - The Secret of Gita!

Jai Sai Master!

Today world over, crores of people are celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday - Krishnastami. A day, which reminds us of the importance of being a HUMAN, for only we are blessed to understand the great teachings of this JAGADGURU. 

Everyone remembers various deeds done by Lord Krishna. However, what HE did in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, is the best that happened to the mankind. BHAGAVADGITA. This itself shows what Lord wanted every human to do. This was made possible, only because Arjun went on questioning. This is the most important point of all. Till Arjuna treated Lord Krishna, though with all due respect, HE remained a normal charioteer. The moment Arjuna bowed and accepted HIM, HE became Arjuna's GURU and delivered Gita. 

Today, many places, Gita is recited by many and everyone has their own style of delivering it. Because of their perspective towards religion or GOD, the way Gita is explained changes. Due to this, we are left wondering which is the right one. In Sri Sai Leelamrutam, the answer was given by Sri Shirdi Sai, for Gita was delivered to a disciple by a GURU or JAGADGURU, to clear his mind and to give him the right perspective on life. When the disciple was finding it difficult, the Lord showed him the reality through Viswarupam or gave a feel of OMNIPRESENCE of HIM. This shattered the myth of life to the disciple, Arjuna and fought with responsibility without attachments. 

Sri Shirdi Sai, asked Nana to explain the verse in Gita (4:34). When Nana, who recited this for years, could not explain properly, Sri Sai Baba explained the real meaning of the same and unlocked the secret of understanding Gita in right sense and in turn defined the purpose of life for every human being. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, who belonged to all and at the same time to none, due to HIS non-attachment to any particular religion or caste or creed, made everyone understand that the real purpose of life is to find a Sadguru and seek his protection. Apart from this, there is no other way of getting realisation. HE also showed how to search for a Sadguru (through continuous parayana or Sri Gurucharitra and biographies of other Mahatmas and follow them till the day, Sadguru comes to him and gives blessings). 

Hence, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba is the avatar of this Yuga or Kaliyuga and HE is the JAGADGURU. 

On this auspicious day of Krishnastami, may we bow to HIM and seek his blessings to find a Sadguru to walk on the path to realisation. 

Jai Sai Master !!

Lifetime Teachings 9- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

"Have an open mind and be positive".  We heard this many a time. What does this actually mean? Listen to what we like and that we feel is aligning with our views and leave the rest? Nay. We keep getting knowledge from all directions and every moment. If one has an open mind, irrespective of where, good point will be taken in and etched in our minds for ever and will try to implement the same, as that would help us in betterment as human being and in turn helps creating a better society. (How an individual's value system can impact a society? Read here)

The key here, however, we should know what is good or bad. For this, we need to look up at those, who lived their life as symbols of swadharma and who showed how to live through their lives. They are called Mahatmas. Those who are omnipotent, or can explain lucidly anything to any human being what they are supposed to do and how a particular thing need to be done. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, through HIS deeds showed how to live a holistic life. HIS teachings are very pertinent in today's world for every individual of the society where value systems are dwindling. 

Lifetime Teachings 8- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

How great we feel if someone says, I will take care of you as long as you live and you need not worry about your life? It will be a wonderful opportunity and, as a human being who looks at security of all sorts as the foremost priority in life, I am sure, these words will give lot of comfort and opens up a different world as we no longer see with securing ourselves.

Sri Sai Baba, is the only one as we all know, who said it openly that HE is here to take care of everyone. Anyone, once in lifetime, look at HIM sincerely and seeks, for the rest of life, HE will take care by giving what is necessary at the time when it is necessary. One need not worry about daily living. Ofcourse, one can not lazy around, but work sincerely, read scriptures or listen to Mahatmas and work for the betterment of overall society. Then, all through the life, HE will take care.


In Sri Sai Leelamrutam, HE says that he needs to account for every single person given to HIM by the GOD.

Gurupurnima Celebrations@Nagole, Hyderabad-3 July 2012

Jai Sai Master!

Today, on the occassion of Gurupurnima, thousands or in lakhs, people would have visited the Sri Shirdi Sai Baba temple or other Mahatma's places seeking blessings of their Guru. The one and only saviour, the manifestation of the Ultimate Truth, The Guru, will be prayed for betterment of self and move closer to the realisation. This is infact, the one and only festival, that Sri Shirdi Sai Baba asked those present in Dwarakamai to celebrate.

Today,

(Translation broadly - Gurupurnima: In the year 1908, Krishnaji Nulkar of Pandari visited Shirdi and was in Chavadi. Sri Sai Baba told Shyama- "Ask that old man to do puja to the pillar near Dhuni". Shyama conveyed the message and returned and immediately Sri Sai Baba told him and others present to join Nulkar in puja. However, Shyama said they would do puja to Sri Sai Baba instead of pillar and pressed hard till Sri Sai Baba consented. When they checked the date, that day happened to be a full moon day and more than that, it was Gurupurnima. They all performed puja to Sri Sai Baba. From then, the tradition of celebrating Gurupurnima started in Shirdi. This was the only festival that Sri Sai Baba told to perform. From "Sri Sai Baba's sayings in  Sri Sai Leelamrutam written by Sri Sai Master)

This became a tradition for everyone across to celebrate on this day and seek blessings of their Guru. 

Lifetime Teachings 7- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

There is a general debate that goes on in everyone who do not believe in God and also in those who believe in God. That debate is on- if God has created everything, they why is that there is a differentiation like Good deed and a Bad deed or anything Good or Bad.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba said the following:


(Translation broadly - God is afraid of Bad and anything Bad is afraid of God. From "Sri Sai Baba's sayings in  Sri Sai Leelamrutam written by Sri Sai Master)

This is a very interesting line, as one can never imagine how God can be afraid of anything bad. One needs to go back to the fundamental to understand what it actually mean.  In the article written by Divyajanani, the understanding of the statement (page 7 of the Sai Baba Magazine) was explained very lucidly.

Lifetime Teachings 6- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

We all search for something in life. When we are tired of fighting with situations due to various reasons, we start feeling depressed and then search for something elusive, called "happiness and peace". At those times, we generally turn to so called "spirituality" of today's world. With umpteen channels to go with and more than handfuls to choose from as Gurus (self styled gurus), we end up with someone. However, many of these Gurus, who are generally Jet setters unlike Sri Ramakrishna, Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi or Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, do not have time for any individuals and they have mass upliftment programs, which we keep hearing as Sibirs or Sakthipath. 

However, the Sadguru, never delivers enmasse. He, like a seasoned Doctor, delivers the right medicine in right dose depending on the individual's capability. Everyone is treated as separate to work on their samskaras as they prevail upon individual's thoughts. Even if one tries to walk on the right path, if the old samskaras are very strong, they will keep pushing that person from the path repeatedly and only a Sadguru can give the strength and right treatment to stay focused.

[The broad translation of the above is - The greatness of a Sadguru is to grant what one deserves or capable of receiving, based on their samskara.  Otherwise, whoever has read the holy books would have got moksha. It is never like that. ]

Sri Sai Leelamrutam Kritagnatarchana- May 13, 2012

Jai Sai Master!

May 13, 2012 - A day dedicated to paying our gratitude with utmost sincerity to our Guru in the form of Holy book.

As Sri Shirdi Sai Baba said "those who sing my leelas, read about me or contemplate on me will become like me". This is nothing but realising the TRUTH or Brahman or whichever name we may choose to call. However, to enable human beings to do this, He came back in the form of the Holy Book and is helping us to be in His presence all through the day, and throughout our life.

The intent of this pooja to the Holy Book is one form of expressing our gratitude to "the One who came in another form to write about Himself" (the way Sri Guru came in the form of Siddha to recite Sri Gurucharitra to Namadharaka, who was yearning for it).

Sri Sai Leelemrutam - The living Guru in our midst!

Jai Sai Master!

Whenever we pick a book to read, the title makes a lot of difference to convey the meaning about the book. In the case of Sri Sai Leelamrutam, which is currently used by millions as a daily parayana holy book, like Bhagavadgita or Ramayana, one might get a doubt as to why it is called Sai Leelamrutam. 

Sri Sai Master, explained very lucidly that the life and history of Sri Sai Baba, who is a manifestation of Lord Dattatreya, is a living form of Him, and can help the real seeker to achieve the goal that seeker so desires by doing parayana sincerely. There are many who experienced it and are experiencing it across Andhra Pradesh and beyond. 

Lifetime Teachings 5- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

Every being coming in to this world, yearns for the best form, a Human Being. That is the only form in which there is a chance of attaining mukthi or crossing the life of Samsara. However, that is possible only with the help of a person who has already attained that state, and who is called Guru.

Finding such Guru is the most difficult task in this world and even if one finds by chance, how do we make use of such person? This is the most important question for which Sri Shirdi Sai Baba gave a simple answer. While many people read Bhagavad Gita, Sri Sai Baba indicated that the sloka 4:34, which has the following meaning. He showed the disciple how to understand the sloka well and how to make use of Guru.

Lifetime Teachings 4- BABA SAYS.....

Jai Sai Master!

(Broad translation of the above statement - No Guru can say " worship me". Because, in the eyes of Janani, everything and everyone is a form of God or the Ultimate. How can they have disciples or followers? Hence, the One who calls or thinks of himself as Guru, is not fit to be a Guru said Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi)

(extract from "Sri Sai Leelamrutam". To read the book on-line, click Sri Sai Leelamrutham)

At an age, when there are so many people who come and declare themselves as Gurus to attract crowd and to earn materialistic needs, the lives and words of Mahatmas become very valid and appear need of the hour to save the humanity. While there are defined or systematic process with which a human being has to purify himself (the behaviour, thoughts or deeds), to wait for the Guru to manifest himself in some form to guide, how ridiculous it is to think of someone as our Guru and follow blindly without bothering about working hard for such boon from the God? 

Jai Sai Master!