Q494

How does one dwell on the meanings of the Bhajans while singing or participating in them?



When you sing Bhajans, dwell on the meanings of the songs and the message of each Name and Form of God.  Rama - the name should evoke in you the Dharma He embodied and demonstrated.  Radha - the name should evoke in you supramental, super-worldly Love she had as the greatest of the Gopis.  Shiva - the name should evoke the supreme sacrifice of the drinking of the Halahala poison for the good of the world; the cool grace heightened by the cascade of the Ganga and the moonlight from the Crescent.  Do not waste time purposelessly; let every moment be Bhajan.  Know the purpose of Bhajan or Namasmarana and devote yourself wholeheartedly to it; derive the maximum benefit from the years allotted to you.

(SSS Vol 7, pg 67-68)

Simple Charm

The splendour of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, Spring would lose its loveliness.

- Therese of Lisieux

VEDA 37

Man is but an instrument in God's hands; his plans can win through only when they are in line with His. Take things as and when they come. Do not try to peep too far into the future, with the help of astrologers. If you have the grace of God, no planet can harm you.




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

GEM 728

When the mind is subdued, the oneness of Jeevi (individuals) and the Divine will be experienced.

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

Sermons We See

I'd rather see a sermon

Than hear one any day;

I'd rather one should walk with me

Than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil

And more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing,

But example's always clear.

And the best of all the preachers

Are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put into action

Is what everybody needs.

When I see a deed of kindness,

I am eager to be kind.

When a weaker brother stumbles

And a strong man stands behind;

Just to see if he can help him,

Then the wish grows strong in me

To become as big and thoughtful

As I know that friend to be.

And all travelers can witness that

The best of guides today

Is not the one who tells them,

But the one who shows the way.

- Edgar A Guest -

Stubbornness

Divine Will

 

Man must realize the immensity of the play of the Divine will which manifests itself in such abundant variety.  But what does science say of this Will?  It only declares that we should not believe things that we do not see.  The Divine Will is beyond our power to see, so it cannot be tested to be real!  This attitude is not correct.  Take this kerchief which I drop from my hands.  It falls to the ground instead of going up in the air.  We attribute this to the gravitational pull even though we do not see the pull.

(Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol X, pg 186) 

True Picture

What makes humility so desirable is the marvellous thing it does to us; it creates in us a  capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God.

- Monica Baldwin

One challenge in an otherwise perfect day can seem to overshadow my whole day - but only if I let it.  So, I concentrate on holding a true picture of myself in mind.  And the truest picture of me is always one in which I am vitalised, strengthened, and guided by the very spirit of God.

During times when I am asked to do more than I may believe I can do, I bring to mind my true picture.  And this is who I see : a calm and powerful, loving and compassionate being infused by Spirit.  Then, a new resolve and a new energy rise up from the depths of my being.

I carry a true picture of my loved ones in my mind and heart.  With every thought, word, and act, I encourage the fulfilment of our spiritual reality.

I hold my spiritual identity in mind - a true picture of me.

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

GEM 727

When the mind is pure, unselfish and unwavering, the Divine appears in all His purity and fullness.

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

Divinity

When divinity is immanent in everything, conscious and un-conscious, in every form of being, how can a thing be condemned as bad or commended as good?

Water quenches thirst and can also drown people.  Fire gives light and warmth, but can also burn a thing to ash.  Sound terrifies and also thrills.  They are all three Divine.  Divinity is not so easily understood.

To recognize this Unity, one needs training, though to be deluded by diversity one doesn't need any.  For grass to grow quickly, no effort on our part is needed, but if grain is to be harvested, the field must be ploughed, weeded, watered, manured and fenced.  So also to get a harvest of virtue, intense sadhana is needed, though no such effort is necessary to contract vices.  Man has to struggle hard in order to attain the higher stages of spiritual development.  He has to overcome many hurdles and put up with many difficulties and disappointments.

(Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol X, pg 186)