Looking Back

I haven't built much of a fortune to leave 

to those who shall carry my name,

And nothing I've done shall entitle me now 

to a place on the tablets of fame.

But I've loved the great sky and its spaces of blue; 

I've lived with the birds and the trees;

I've turned from the splendor of silver and gold

to share in such pleasures as these.

I've given my time to the children who came; 

together we've romped and we've played,

And I wouldn't exchange the glad hours spent 

with them for the money that I might have made.

I chose to be known and be loved by the few, 

and was deaf to the plaudits of men;

And I'd make the same choice should the chance 

come to me to live my life over again.

I've lived with my friends and I've shared in their joys, 

known sorrow with all of its tears;

I have harvested much from my acres of life, 

though some say I've squandered my years.

For much that is fine has been mine to enjoy,

and I think I have lived to my best,

And I have no regret, as I'm nearing the end, 

for the gold that I might have possessed.

~ Edgar A. Guest

The Name

Be Blessed - 32

Element Of Joy

Into many lives, in many simple, familiar, homely ways, God infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life, which unexpectedly brighten our days and fill our eyes with light.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Q508

What is the value of the Divine Name ?



You are playing marbles with the Name of God, unaware of its value.  Once you realize the worth of the Name of God, you will keep it in your heart of hearts as the most precious treasure.  Know that the Divine Name is the key to illumination and liberation...

The Name undoubtedly brings the Grace of God.  Meerabai, the Queen of Rajasthan, gave up status and riches, fortune and family and dedicated herself to be the adoration of the Lord, Giridhara Gopala.  Her husband brought a chalice of poison and she was ordered to drink it.  She uttered the Name of Krishna while she drank it; it was transferred into nectar, by the Grace the Divine Name evoked!

(SSS Vol 8, pg 89-90)

Removal Of Ego

All religions teach one basic discipline; the removal from the mind of the blemish of egoism, of running after little joys.  Every religion teaches man to fill his being with the glory of God and evict the pettiness of conceit.  Foster love, live in love, spread love; that is the spiritual exercise which will yield the maximum benefit.  God has a million names; sages and saints have seen Him in a million forms, they have seen Him with eyes closed and eyes open.

The human body, so filled with skills, so capable of great adventures, is a gift from God to each of you.  It has to be used as a raft on which you can cross this never calm sea of change that lies between birth and death, bondage and liberation.  Pursue nobler ends; have grander ideals; sensory pleasures are trinkets, trivialities.

In homes and schools, training of the minds of the young on these lines has to be taken up earnestly by teachers and parents; of course, they must equip themselves for this work by steady practice of meditation and recitation of the name of God.  Parents and children must join in singing the glory of God.

(Sanathana Sarathi, January 1994, pg 25)

VEDA 44

How can the truth be grasped when you are steeped in falsehood? How can a fish experience the sky? How can nectar and poison, light and night, God and devil be together?



(From : Sai Veda, The Word of God,  sayings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

GEM 763

Put others before yourself, and you can become a leader among men.

(From : Garland of 1008 Gems, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba's Sayings)

Sai Jewel - 28

I Belong To You