Prasanthi - The Most Love-Charged Place on the Planet
Keeping all of the above in mind, let us come back to Prasanthi Nilayam. True, there is no place where God is not. Has He not, for example, said in the Gita that He is in each of us at three levels, the gross, the subtle and the causal? That said coming to Prasanthi is like having icing on the cake.
This is where Swami as the Avatar of the Kali age physically lived since His 25th Birthday in 1950. When we come here, we get a special thrill recalling many events from the past that are special to each of us. Some would recall how Swami stood in such and such a spot while calling them for an interview. Others would remember the spot where Swami took their letter, spoke to them, materialised Vibhuti for them, and so on. While this place is infinitely rich in personal memories for every one of us blessed to have been here when the Avatar physically showered Love on all, Prasanthi is also the place where Bhagawan celebrated every single Birthday, and almost all Sivarathri functions except perhaps the one occasion when He took Hislop and few others into the forest.
And this also is where for years Swami performed the famous Vibhuthi Abhishekam. Then there was the famous Gurupoornima incident of 1963 when the Lord come in human form took on the paralysis of a devotee unknown to all of us except Him. And what about those glorious Darshans on Christmas mornings when He came out of the silver door dressed in white? The list goes on.
At this point I want to make one thing very clear which is that I am not, repeat not trying to be a tourist agent. I am merely drawing attention to what is called sannithyam or sanctity which makes a place holy. A yogi does not have to go to a sacred place. But then how many of us have evolved to the extent of looking inwards? If instead we can be steady in our faith and follow Swami’s commands, it would be a great deal; and that is where coming to Prasanthi helps in that each of us can reconnect with the past on a personal basis – I mean how can we not recall so many wonderful things we have personally witnessed here?
I now need to change gear and offer an important quote from Swami, relevant to what I have said thus far. This quote is from a Discourse Bhagawan delivered on November 21, 1988, two days before His 63rd Birthday. The Discourse was special and addressed specially to the office bearers of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation. During the Discourse, Swami explained at length what is really meant by seva or selfless service, why one must engage in it, how seva must be performed, etc. In the midst of this, Swami said – please listen carefully:
That was the voice of Swami, and here is the translation of what you just heard:
Yet others, invoking the name of Swami and claiming that they have been endowed with miraculous powers by Swami Himself, are collecting money. There can be nothing more diabolical than this.
Sai’s name is being invoked and a bad name is being brought to Sai by people engaging in such foul actions. This is one of the ways in which Sai activities are being converted into business transactions.
I suppose that is clear enough. I should add that Dr. Narendranath Reddy, Chairman, Prasanthi Council has kindly located and sent me excerpts taken from several other discourses where Swami is making the same point. Here, for example, is what Swami said as far back as November 1962.
“There is another set of people who trade on your faith. They advertise that I am 'talking' through a medium or some other thing.
Treat all such people and their agents and brokers, as you would treat cheats; if you fail to do so, then you also become an accomplice in the cheating process.”
Here is what Swami said in March 1965 while speaking at Kakinada in coastal Andhra.
Do not believe if someone comes to you and says, ‘Sathya Sai Baba came to me in my dream and commissioned me to do publicity for Him. Please help me as much as possible’.
I do not commission anyone for such work, either in dream or while he is awake. Such men are cheats; treat them as such, without mercy.”
These are just two sample quotes; there are many more.
Letter of Dr. Narendranath Reddy, Chairman, Prasanthi Council
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings of loving Sairam to all of you.
We are celebrating Guru Poornima on 12th July 2014. This is an auspicious and special day for spiritual seekers to pay homage to their Guru and rededicate their lives to live His message. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, our Guru and God has come to show us the guri (goal of life) by getting rid of the darkness of ignorance. It is very important for us to remember His message through His first bhajan “Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam” and we should one-pointedly hold on to His feet so that we can reach the goal.
It has been brought to my attention that emails have been circulating that Swami has been speaking
11th June 2014
through some people and delivering discourses in subtle forms in various places. It is reported in these emails that they claim to have seen His “light body” and they have been instructed to establish institutions. They are seeking donations, participation and support. It is good to remember and practice what Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Himself has said about such activities.
I urge all Sathya Sai devotees to pay careful attention to the excerpts from Swami’s Divine discourses given below. Swami has always emphasised in His Divine discourses that He has a unique heart-to-heart relationship with each devotee and has no intermediaries. At one time I asked Swami if worshipping His Divine lotus feet mentally is equivalent to worshipping Him physically. Swami immediately responded “Yes, mental worship has the same spiritual benefits”. Therefore, Sadhana is the inward path.
Let us sanctify and redeem our lives by implicitly following the Divine command.
Let us focus on the goal without being distracted by anyone or any external influences.
Let us dive deep into the nectarine words of Swami and practice His universal and eternal message of love and selfless service in our daily lives.
Let us love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and serve Him till our last breath.
Jai Sai Ram.
Lovingly in the Service of Sai,
Dr. Narendranath Reddy,
Chairman, Prasanthi Council.
EXCERPTS FROM DIVINE DISCOURSES
“Our relationship is only heart-to-heart and love-to-love, nothing else. Swami is love personified. Swami gives importance to love and nothing else. Do not give any value to mean and meaningless talk.”
Excerpts from Discourse on 15th October 1999 at Prasanthi Nilayam.
“Talking of faith, I must issue a warning. Many people are collecting money in various places using My Name for various purposes like arranging receptions, building temples, doing Puja, etc. That is unauthorised and against My wish and command. Do not yield to such requests and encourage this practice, which I condemn.”
“There is another set of people who trade on your faith. They advertise that I am 'talking' through a medium or some other thing. Treat all such people and their agents or brokers as you treat cheats; if you do not treat them so, then you are also accomplices in the cheating process.”
“There are others who gather groups of followers and admirers and collect money. They even declare, ‘Baba sent me to you to take from you some money’ or ‘Baba has given me this’ or ‘Baba blessed me specially thus and thus’ and then ask for your help or your praise or your purse! I ask you to chastise all these types of men and turn them away, whoever they are.”
Excerpts from Discourse on 25th November 1962 at Prasanthi Nilayam
“There are some who extol others for the absurd reason that Sai Baba speaks through them! How silly? It is all drama which cheats sick minds. Do not fall a prey to these. That is why I say, keep your devotion within yourself, under control, and not be led away by crooks and self-seekers. These lead you astray by giving you a wrong idea of the Lord's manifestation. They befoul the faith that their brothers and sisters repose in God.”
Excerpts from Discourse on 15th October 1964 at Prasanthi Nilayam
“People say, 'Baba appeared to me in a dream and commanded me to do this and that, to you, to collect so much from you etc.’
do not give heed to such cheats; punish them in the way they deserve. That is the advice I have to give you.”
"Do not believe if anyone comes to you and declares, ‘Sathya Sai Baba came to me in my dream and commissioned me to do publicity for him. Please help me as far as you can’. I do not commission any one for such work, either in dream or while he is awake. Such men are cheats; treat them as such, without mercy”
Excerpts from Discourse on 26 March 1965 at Kakinada
“There are quite a few who declare that I am coming "upon them," possessing them rather, and they sway, shake and shiver and say all kinds of things, claiming that I am speaking through them or that they are under My Influence. They answer questions and 'foretell' things and perform many tricks to collect money or things from people who do not know Me and My reality. All this is sheer deceit; it is a disease that is spreading. Do not encourage it; nip it whenever you see cases of people suffering from it. Such people have agents and brokers; scotch them first and their puppets will disappear. They wear the dress of holiness, but their greed announces them as vile. People say 'Baba appeared to me in a dream and commanded me to do this and that, to you, to collect so much from you etc., etc. Do not give heed to such cheats; punish them in the way they deserve. That is the advice I have to give you.”
Excerpts from Discourse on 3 March 1965 at Amalaapuram
“In order to make known My majesty and My glory as the Divine that has Incarnated, miraculous happenings of an amazing nature do take place in certain areas. Taking advantage of the attraction that those happenings draw upon them, many misuse them for personal propaganda and aggrandizement. They trade for money the Vibhuthi (sacred ash) that the pictures in their altars shower! They go about pretending that they are "superior devotees" of a higher order and conferring boons and blessings on the innocent folk whom they fleece. Others put forth false claims that vibhuthi is emanating from the pictures of Baba in their homes, that Amrith (nectar) is dripping from them or that material objects are falling from them, like written answers to questions. Samithis and other Units should have no contact with such cheats and crooks. Anyone who is attached to such or who encourages such can be immediately removed.
There are others who claim that I am speaking through them, and answering questions put to them. These people must be either insane or hysteria-affected or they are possessed by some ghost or by the greed to earn money thereby. I can only tell you that it is not I that speaks through them. I do not need media; nor do I need substitutes or subsidiaries or representatives.”
Excerpts from Discourse on 22 November 1970 during All-India Conference of Workers of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations at Prasanthi Nilayam
“There are some people who are doing business in the Name of Sai. They are cheating others, pretending to be devotees of Sai. I do not approve of such behaviour. They are not devotees at all. They are going to different parts of the country and also abroad to make money in the name of Sai. It is a big crime. I do not ask for even a single paisa from others. I never approve of such business. Whoever it may be, if somebody approaches you with such a crass motive, tell him to get out at once. Do not allow business to enter the field of spirituality.”
Excerpts from Discourse given on 22 July 2002 during International Seva Conference at Prasanthi Nilayam
“In foreign countries, some Indians are claiming themselves to be Swami's devotees, and they are telling many lies using the name of Swami for collecting money. Some claim they are constructing temples and schools for Swami, and they collect money. These are all blatant lies. Swami has not accepted any money for any purpose. So be careful, and keep those people at a distance who approach you for money in the name of Sai.”
Excerpts from Discourse for American devotees on 27 July 2002 at Prasanthi Nilayam.
Yet others, invoking the name of Swami and claiming that they have been endowed with miraculous powers by Swami Himself, are collecting money. There can be nothing more diabolical than this.
This is a matter to which Swami has thus far never made even the slightest reference, to anyone and at any time. Sai’s name is being invoked and a bad name is being brought to Sai by people engaging in such foul actions. This is one of the ways in which Sai activities are being converted into business transactions.
Excerpts from Discourse on 21st November 1988 at Prasanthi Nilayam.
“Utilize the chance of association with Me as much as possible, and endeavour as quickly and as best as you can, to follow the directions that I have been giving. Obeying My instructions is enough; it will benefit you more than the most rigorous asceticism. Practice Sathya, Dharma, Santhi and Prema, which are dear to Me; resolve to keep those ideals before you ever, in all your thoughts, words and deeds. That can confer on you the summum bonum of mergence in the Supreme Substance of divinity.”
Excerpts from Discourse on 17 May 1968 during World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations at Mumbai
While cautioning us, Swami is at the same time careful to mention that He does make His presence felt via what we usually refer to as miracles. He says:
In order to make known My majesty and My glory as the Divine that has Incarnated, miraculous happenings of an amazing nature do take place in certain areas. Taking advantage of the attraction that those happenings produce, many misuse them for personal propaganda and aggrandizement.
Swami has given any number of such warnings in the past, but sadly, a small minority has always chosen to disregard the red lines, even while professing total loyalty to Bhagawan. That said the current situation is different because this is a case of calculated misrepresentation with most undesirable consequences.
- Radio Sai Team
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