GEM 732

When the senses are brought under control of the mind, the mind itself ceases to function.

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

Heaven

Heaven is not a supra-terrestrial region of perpetual spring; 
it is an inner experience, a state of supreme Bliss.

(Baba, The Breath of Sai, pg 259)

Fragrance

Never Forsake

Cannot Explain Him

You may benefit from God, but, you cannot explain Him. Your explanations are merely guesses, attempts to clothe your ignorance in pompous expressions. The mistake is, you give the brain more value than it deserves.

(From : Sai Veda, The Word of God,
sayings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as compiled by Ramadas Gollapudi)

The Witch

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question?....What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.

He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life! Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened

The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day...or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?

Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.

- Author Unknown -

Beloved 44

Beloved,

As the sunlight warms your face, feel the glow of My love caressing you.  Carry that feeling of warmth with you in all that you do.  Feel My presence strengthening you as you go about doing your best.  With Me to guide you, you cannot fail, for all your actions will be learning experiences.

Each tomorrow will be a new dawn in which you continue to bring out the best in yourself and in others.  Your faith will guide you to succeed.  As others see your faith in action, they will learn from you and follow your example.

The blessings of the future are yours, for you are My beloved creation.  Never will there be a time when I am not with you - loving you, blessing you, guiding you into the dawn of opportunities that await you.

"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us."

- Luke 1:78

(From : 'Daily Word' magazine by Silent Unity, a world wide prayer ministry)  

Q495

Does singing of Bhajans lead to winning the grace of God ?



If Bhajan is sung in a sweet voice, people will be drawn towards the Lord.  Gradually, it will develop into the Love for God, and His Grace will follow in due course.  One should patiently wait for the Grace.

(Prashanti Vahini, pg 18)

GEM 731

Whenever a desire arises in mind, one should exercise the power of discrimination and decide whether it is good or bad.

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